Frontier Services Primary Health Care Nurse Anna Burley has been hailed as one of the unsung heroes of regional Queensland.

Ms Burley, from the Savannah Regional Health Service based in Georgetown, was the major winner at the 2011 Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

She won the Clark Rubber Regional Service Award and was also selected as the overall winner of the Special Commendation Award presented by the Commonwealth Bank.

Ms Burley was the only person to win this award. The judges selected Ms Burley for her hard work and selflessness in covering such long distances to provide health care.

Frontier Services National Director Rosemary Young said Ms Burley was deeply committed to providing people in remote areas with the best possible health care.

“Anna’s skills, her dedication and, importantly, her passion are a wonderful asset to Frontier Services and also to her community. The award is a wonderful acknowledgment of her contribution,” Ms Young said.

As one of two nurses with the health service, Ms Burley travels across the 77,000km Gulf Savannah region to provide primary health care services to about 2000 people.

Ms Burley and her team provide regular health clinics in the towns of Mt Surprise, Einasleigh and The Lynd, as well as health promotion and education programs to properties and townships across the Croydon and Etheridge Shires.

Ms Burley has coordinated health specialist visits in these remote areas that otherwise would not be accessible. She has also advocated on behalf of the community for more services in the area.

Community members from the Etheridge Shire nominated Ms Burley for the award.

Very surprised and humbled by the win, Ms Burley acknowledged her fellow staff members for their contribution.

“Providing services in the region is very much a huge team affair for Frontier Services,” she said.

Meanwhile, it was the people in her community that made it all worthwhile.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of people’s lives in remote areas,” said Ms Burley.“If there is anything I can do to reduce the impact and disadvantage of isolation and distance – that is a big thing.”

The Awards were announced at a Gala Presentation Dinner on Saturday 12 November at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Surfers Paradise. Ms Burley was presented with $2500 for each award.

Her family, friends and work colleagues travelled to the Gold Coast to attend the event.