The phase 1 team at Port Macquarie were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Student Wellbeing award in 2023 in recognition of the collective strategies implemented by the Port Macquarie Phase 1 team to promote student wellbeing in rural medical education. The award recognises their integrated approach to supporting students’ academic, emotional and social needs through sustained teacher presence, accessible support, inclusive teaching practices, regular communication, and activities that foster connection, belonging and community.