Rural Doctors Association Australia

27/11/2025

Things are finally moving on Rural Generalist Medicine, young doctors are seeing what a great career it can provide & more of them are flocking to be a part of it.

Now is not the time to withdraw any investment in Rural Generalism... We urge the Federal Government to continue funding for the WIP RAS initiative & RG Coordination Units!

Read more:

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) is urging the Federal Government to extend funding for key measures that are supporting the growth in popularity of Rural Generalist Medicine in Australia, and delivering much-needed Rural Generalist doctors to rural and remote communities.

20/11/2025

The combination of high UV exposure in rural life, an ageing population with accumulated sun damage, and fewer skin-cancer checks and specialists creates a “perfect storm” in the bush.

We need targeted investment in rural skin-health models: enhanced GP dermatology up-skilling, tele-dermatology links, and early-detection campaigns that reach rural workplaces, farms and remote communities.

Read more:

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer, and during National Skin Cancer Action Week (16–22 November 2025) rural doctors are highlighting the urgent access and treatment challenges faced by rural and remote patients.

18/11/2025

RDAA's Commonwealth Financial Support Calculator has been updated for 2026 GP Training incentives & increased rates. We have also taken the opportunity to make it even easier to use - check it out https://bit.ly/43RdqUM

You don't need to be an RDA member to access the tool, but if you are a first time visitor you will need to create an account.

Thanks to Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) & Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for your support of our calculator.

14/11/2025

RDAA President Dr Sarah Chalmers & Chair of RACGP’s Rural Council Dr Michael Clements’ announced our joint bursary to support 10 medical students undertake a placement in rural general practice at GP25

13/11/2025

Knowledge is power — especially when it comes to Type 2 diabetes!

Nearly 1.9 million Australians live with diabetes, & wtih many unaware they have it, early testing is essential. Rural doctors call on all rural and remote community members to get checked this World Diabetes Day.

Left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, vision loss, nerve damage and more — but early diagnosis can prevent complications & help you stay well for longer.

A simple blood test could change your future...

Read more: https://bit.ly/4nWjYJY

12/11/2025

⚠️ Our next Awards podcast for 2025 has dropped! ⚠️

This one features the incredible Dr Jean Littlewood, RDAA's Rural Doctor in Training of the Year. 🤩

Jean is an absolute dynamo of Rural Medicine, and the phrase she coined – ‘Guilt is not a rural recruitment strategy’ – has taken on a life of its own!

Now in her final year of Rural Generalist training with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), she’s already contributed to the work of numerous organisations, including serving for 3 years on the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW Management Committee.

One of her most impactful contributions while on that Committee was the part she played in gaining a fairer deal for NSW’s rurally-based Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) when they undertake rotations to metropolitan hospitals.

Jean is currently working and training in the North West NSW town of Coonabarabran...and if she’s not busy enough already, she still finds time to take to the field for a game or two of country rugby union – a sport she’s played at a NSW representative level.

Listen to our podcast on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4p9tnPu

Listen via Buzzsprout:
https://bit.ly/4p3OYsp

Rural Doctors' Association of NSW Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Warrumbungle Medical Centre NSW Health Western NSW Local Health District Rural Doctors Network - RDN Rural Doctors Foundation

05/11/2025

⚠️ Our first Awards podcast for 2025 has dropped! ⚠️
..and it features our (very) awesome RDAA Medical Student of the Year, Eiryn Twidale. 🤩

Eiryn is a final year medical student from Griffith University who sought out the opportunity two years ago to relocate to Kingaroy, in rural Queensland, to undertake her training as part of Rural Medical Education Australia’s LongLook program.

While in Kingaroy, she’s also been working as a nurse at the local hospital! 🙌

As you’ll hear, she and her fiancé Luke jumped boots and all into local community life from their first week in town…and they’ve made an enormous impact.

Eiryn's commitment to rural health, to pursuing a career as a Rural Generalist doctor, and to the Kingaroy community ALSO saw her receive the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) National Medical Student of the Year Award this year!

Two national awards in one year? That's quite a feat! 🤩

Listen to our podcast on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4qK3Vl7

Listen via Buzzsprout:
https://bit.ly/4oLte4k

Eiryn Twidale Rural Doctors Association of Queensland - RDAQ GUMS: Griffith University Medicine Society HOPE4HEALTH Darling Downs Health National Rural Health Student Network Queensland Health

29/10/2025

A single brick — $50,000 raised!

At RMA25, delegates came together to support the Wilya Janta Housing Collaboration, raising $50,000 in a charity auction to help build another safe, culturally connected home for an Aboriginal family in Tennant Creek.

Read more:

Rural Medicine Australia 2025 (RMA25) has wrapped up in Perth after four days of connection, courage and creativity – reaffirming the strength and unity of rural Australia’s medical community.

28/10/2025

We're super excited to announce that we have signed an MOU with our good friends across the Pacific Ocean at the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC)! 🇨🇦🇦🇺

The MOU will further underpin SRPC and RDAA knowledge sharing on policies, strategies and solutions for stronger rural health sectors in both our countries, as well as reciprocal benefits for members of both our organisations.

(...And of course we have promised to share our best recipes featuring maple syrup and Vegemite...)

We signed the MOU at last weekend's Rural Medicine Australia - RMA conference in Perth, and it was wonderful to welcome SRPC President Dr Gavin Parker and President-elect Dr Sarah Giles (both on the left in the photo below) to the signing ceremony to represent the SRPC.

Read more about our MOU (and what it means for our members and both our organisations) here - http://bit.ly/4odpCZe

25/10/2025

Congratulations to Dr Cheryl McIntyre from Inverell, NSW - our 2025 RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year!

Cheryl has cared for her community for more than 25 years and continues to inspire the next generation through her work training students and junior doctors.

Read our media release:
http://bit.ly/4oxfIBh

Thank you to the Rural Doctors Foundation for their sponsorship of this Award.

25/10/2025

Congratulations to Dr Jean Littlewood, our 2025 RDAA Rural Doctor in Training of the Year!

Based in Coonabarabran, Jean is completing her final year of Rural Generalist training and has been a powerful voice for fairer treatment of rural junior doctors.

Read our media release:
http://bit.ly/4hseQvD

25/10/2025

Congratulations to Eiryn Twidale, our 2025 RDAA Medical Student of the Year!

Eiryn is a final-year medical student who has spent the past two years training in Kingaroy, QLD - showing outstanding commitment to the local community and to a career in Rural Medicine.

Read our media release:
http://bit.ly/48Gj1BE