Bathurst stars
Capital Chemist Bathurst was awarded Community Pharmacist of the Year, recognised for its integrated care model linking patients with local GPs, hospitals and aged care providers.
Founding owners Hannah and Marcus Heiner first joined the Capital Chemist group in their mid‑20s, some 15 years ago. Moments after their win on the Gold Coast, the pair told Miranda Deakin on APTV they were thrilled with the result.
“You never expect to win but you’re always hopeful,” Hannah said. “We’re ecstatic,” Marcus said. “And with the pharmacy team who does all the work with us — well, they put everything into it … our staff are absolutely phenomenal, so we’ve been very lucky with that over the years.”
The pair also reflected on joining Capital Chemist at just 24, praising the group’s owner operator model, support network and commitment to excellence in healthcare.
“I’ll be the first to promote them,” Hannah said. “Marcus met (former CEO) Andrew Topp at an information evening and he saw his passion — and that’s the passion everyone in the Capital Chemist Group shares.”
“They’re always looking for opportunities to bring in young pharmacists who are like minded and patient focused.
“Luckily, they backed us in, because we were broke … we had nothing to lose and we went all in. As 24-yearolds at that time, we couldn’t have done it without that support, so we’re eternally grateful.”
Today, the pharmacy has developed a nationally leading approach to homecare and NDIS support, which is now being adopted by other pharmacies across Australia.
Its five pharmacist owners and nearly 50 staff have transformed the business into a comprehensive healthcare hub delivering significant community impact.
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Wilsonton winner
Molly McGuire took out the Community Pharmacist of the Year award, recognised for advanced clinical practice and regional leadership at TerryWhite Chemmart Wilsonton.
Molly is among Queensland’s first full scope pharmacist prescribers, enabling her to assess, diagnose and treat common and chronic conditions.
She told APTV she was “very surprised” with her national award win, but said it was a real reflection of how wonderful her team is.
“They support all my crazy ideas,” she said. “And when I was studying for full scope and not maybe as present at work, they really supported that and they’ve really jumped on board with full scope.
“They’re trying to get me to do consults for everything,” she said. “I have a wonderful team and it’s definitely not possible without them.”
Molly’s work supporting patients with disability, strengthening professional collaboration and contributing to local health initiatives reflects her commitment to improving access to care in regional communities.
Future leader
Tasmania’s Mia Shinkfield was recognised for her academic excellence, leadership and strong commitment to culturally safe care.
Her work spans student advocacy, Honours research on benzodiazepine tapering and clinical placements in low socioeconomic communities. She also speaks openly about overcoming a diagnosed learning disorder and the hurdles she has faced throughout her studies.
Mia told APTV she was so shocked when her name was announced as the Student Pharmacist of the Year — she couldn’t recall going up on stage or accepting the award.
“I don’t remember anything until I sat back down with that massive award in my lap … [but] it means everything to me,” she said.
“It means all the hard work that I’ve gone through for the past four years, navigating the specific learning disorder, and navigating the challenges that come along with that … it means that it just all paid off, honestly.”
Rising intern
Ruby Schembri (right) was recognised for her impact as a rural intern at Gilgandra Pharmacy, where she has delivered contraception education to local high school students and led a medication management seminar at the hospital.
She has also personally administered more than 1,000 vaccinations in a town of just 3,000 people. Her work reflects the vital contribution pharmacists make in regional communities.
On receiving her national award, Ruby spoke to APTV about her passion for women’s health and what drove her into contraception education.
“I was a student who was very proactive about my health -- I liked to think I had a bit of knowledge about what was going on -- but it wasn’t until I went to university in my last year that I thought, ‘I actually don’t even know what a menstrual cycle is, or what the mechanics are behind it…’.
“And I thought if I don’t know that, imagine who else doesn’t know that too.”
So, she set about providing contraception information sessions for school students from year nine to 12.
The course was a huge success, and she says she has received widespread thanks from not only students in town, but their teachers, too.
“And that’s when I thought the message has landed and they know we’re just here, we’re not pushing anything, we’re just here.”
Ruby attended APP with her employer and local pharmacist Emma Robinson, who was thrilled with Ruby’s win.
“We are all just so excited that Ruby’s hard work and dedication, throughout a pretty big year of study, has been recognised,” Emma told The Gilgandra Weekly.
“She really treated her intern year, which is basically like your fifth year of study, like a marathon,” Emma said.
“She was working hard from the start of (2025) onwards — she has done really well to win the award and we’re really proud of her.”
Strengthening local care
These national winners represent the future of frontline primary healthcare — accessible, trusted and focused on delivering more high-quality care for patients when and where they need it.
PGA’s National President Professor Trent Twomey congratulated the winners and said their achievements highlight the critical role community pharmacists play every day.
“Community pharmacies are Australia’s most trusted and accessible frontline healthcare destinations. These national winners represent the strength, leadership and innovation that define our profession,” Professor Twomey said.
He noted this year’s winners exemplify the best of community pharmacy, improving access, strengthening communities and showing Australians why they should Think Pharmacy First.
