FOR Tamworth's Claire Doherty, helping regional families and "weekend warriors" enjoy their sport have been the passions of a lifetime.
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Now, her tireless work in pediatric physiotherapy has resulted in one of the country's highest honours, an Order of Australia Medal.
Mrs Doherty received the award as part of this year's Queens Birthday honours and she puts it all down to teamwork.
"It's a great honour and I put it all down to being one for the team," Mrs Doherty told the Leader.
"Health is such a team thing and I'm counting it as a real win for physiotherapy and rural hospitals, so from that perspective it is a real honour."
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A pioneer in regional health, Mrs Doherty has also helped found the Tamworth hospital's hip clinic and boot pool, which helps treat children with Talipes.
"I'm really passionate about public health and I believe it is the backbone of our nation's health, particularly in rural areas," she said.
"You've got to try and provide top-quality care for patients in your own town and if you can't, one thing I've really enjoyed working on over the past 33 years has been looking to find the answers when I don't have them.
"Whether that's been for children with deformed feet or for clicky hips, I'm just really passionate about working on any problem that is deemed to be getting worse."
As well as treating many children throughout the region, Mrs Doherty has had a keen interest in sport and a drive to help grassroots athletes get the best out of themselves.
This work has included being the Koori Knockout, Northern Inland Football and the Australian Medical Football team the Docceroos.
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"I love weekend warriors because they have so much room for improvement and anything I can do to help them play better and not get injured is terrific," she said.
"I'm not a person who likes the limelight, so this award is really humbling but I think this award is such a wonderful celebration of what rural health is doing as a whole.
"It's really kicking goals and it can't happen without teamwork."