Announcing the QRMFN 2021 Backbone of the Bush Award Winner - Tony Lanzi!

​Each year the QRMFN recognises the incredible contributions made by the spouses and partners of Queensland’s rural doctors through the Backbone of the Bush Award. The QRMFN and Health Workforce Queensland are thrilled to announce Tony Lanzi as the 2021 Backbone of the Bush Award recipient. 

Tony has been a valuable and active part of rural Queensland communities and has supported his partner and her career through 4 moves over the last 4 years, including time spent in Proserpine and currently Babinda. 

Some of his qualifications include Ship Captain, Builder/Carpenter, Engineer / Fitter, Skipper, Commercial Fisherman, Dive Instructor, Pilot, Volunteer Rural Fire Fighter and he is an active RSL and Lions Club member. He also served Australia in the Army and RAAF.

When living in Proserpine he was out supporting the community as soon as possible with the clean up after the Category 4 cyclone Debbie in 2017. For this he was awarded recognition on channel 7’s Sunrise show the following year when they visited Airlie Beach. He has also been incredibly supportive of the local community in Babinda throughout the COVID 19 pandemic. Using his varied skills, he has fixed a neighbours caravan, mended the floor of a heritage listed state hotel, lent his car to penniless back packers and fixed a nurse’s fence, among many other selfless acts. One day a patient of his partner asked for him personally as she knew he would be more than willing to help her distressed elderly neighbour, whose beloved pet dog had just passed away. He dropped everything and went to her aide.

He has also spent years’ volunteering for the Rural Fire Brigade, was the Surf Life Saving President at the Rainbow Beach Surf Living Saving Club, and in a previous life, Chief Skipper at Point Danger Volunteer Marine Rescue. He is an active member of the RSL and gives his time to assist organizing ANZAC Day and other community events.   

Last but definitely not least, is the support he has provided to his partner through her ACRRM Fellowship and FACRRM and their moves to different towns. He even renovated an old Queenslander in Babinda where they live, his partner being the only doctor living locally in the community, where the others commute.

Congratulations Tony, very well deserved winner.