After being recognised as Australia's best midwife, Vanessa Page faced uncertainty about the future of her program in a matter of months.

The Endorsed Midwife Program is an example of the ways regional communities are filling gaps in the health sector, but without $120,000 in funding, the program will be canceled before the end of the year.

"Unfortunately, in Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas, finding access to a midwife is really hard," Ms Page said.

"I've had the high of winning Australian midwife of the year, and now I'm riding a low whereby a program I've set up from scratch and am absolutely passionate about may be ending."

The program was funded out of a financial surplus at Gateway Health, a not-for-profit health organisation, which no longer exists.

With no l

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