TRUNDLE farmer Andrew Rawsthorne owes his life to local GP Dr Martes Alison - that's one of the reasons he has nominated her for a Parkes Shire Council Citizen of the Year Award.
"Personally, she's saved my life once and the next door neighbours and she is treating my grandmother," he said.
Her commitment to the health and well-being of Trundle and surrounding residents has earned the respect of Mr Rawsthorne and any others with the privilege to have come in to contact with her.
"She's a pretty unique individual who makes herself available virtually 24/7."
Dr Alison studied in Newcastle and Sydney.
She has practiced medicine in the city, Central Coast, Wagga Wagga and Gundagai before finally moving to the small community of Trundle where she is the only doctor.
A highly qualified surgeon, Dr Alison could choose to work in any of the top medical facilities in Australia.
But there aren't a lot of towns that offer a wide main street - Trundle has the second widest main street in the country.
Nor can they offer serene walking tracks around the town and a hospital where the food served has been prepared on site - all of which Dr Alison looked for when setting up her practice.
"She could be earning a heap of money in Sydney but she chooses to stay here," Mr Rawsthorne said.
Dr Alison said she loved having a dispensing practice, where she could prescribe medication and also dispense it to the patient.
"I can tailor medication for patients," she said.
"I can prescribe a drug I know people can afford.
"One in five prescriptions are not filled but here I know when people haven't filled them so if there is an issue I can fix it."
Being able to offer "complete" medical care is important for Dr Alison.
"I can deliver holistic care. If somebody breaks a bone I can x-ray it, plaster it, care for them in the hospital, send them home and then go on home visits to make sure they are doing well."
Mr Rawsthorne said another reason he nominated Dr Alison for an award was because she fought for rural medical resources.
"Another reason I nominated her was because she is always fighting bureaucrats who are trying to strip facilities from regional hospitals including Trundle."
Other contenders for Citizen of the Year are Wilbur Harris, Jath Swansbra, Amanda Corcoran and Colin Quade.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Parkes on Australia Day.