Tenterfield Health was recognised in the Hunter New England NSW Health Quality Awards for building regional and other partnerships for health and promoting a healthy lifestyle in a small country community.

Margaret Zannes said the award comes after a decade of building partnerships within the community and improving health services for the public.

"We began building partnerships 10 years ago when we received funds to build a walking track at Jubilee Park. Soon after we were given $3,000 to install fitness stations at local parks with help from the local council," Mrs Zannes said.

Tenterfield Health continued engaging with the community in the coming years, setting up exercise classes at the hospital auxiliary and launching the Trim, Taut and Terrific program in 2005 and it's follow-up earlier in September this year.

The 2008 Trim, Taut and Terrific program expanded on the original to take in more of Tenterfield's groups and organisations, including diabetic and Aboriginal communities.

"Our aim is to reduce or delay the onset of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, and try to teach people how to lead a healthy lifestyle through exercise and diet," Mr Zannes said.

"It was the community that wanted us to re-run Trim, Taut and Terrific."

Tenterfield Health Service placed as one of the top 21 finalists in a record-breaking 159 applications received for the NSW Health Quality Awards. The overall winner of the awards will be announced in Sydney on October 31.