Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway

23/10/2026

Congrats to QRGP alum & RGO Dr Carmel Cockburn 🥳🙌

Congratulations to our RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year, Dr Carmel Cockburn, from Ingham in Queensland!

Carmel has been a Rural Generalist Obstetrician at Ingham Hospital since 2015, and is now also its Medical Superintendent.

She was integral in re-establishing Ingham’s maternity service, which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

In the decade since its re-opening, Carmel has spent countless hours in the maternity unit as lead Rural Generalist (RG) Obstetrician and, for the past couple of years, its RG Obstetrics Mentor too.

Carmel and her husband Damon have four children, and fittingly three of them have been born at Ingham Hospital.

Carmel’s widely respected for her calm, kind and cohesive leadership, and is described as an unstoppable force of nature who is available 24/7 for her colleagues.

Carmel is incredibly devoted to her community, and to providing them with access to healthcare closer to home.

As one of her nominators said, “Ingham would be lost without her.”

Congratulations Carmel! 🤩

Big thanks also to Rural Doctors Foundation for supporting our Award again in 2026.

Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway Queensland Health Townsville Hospital and Health Service

23/10/2026

Register now for our Fresh fellows summit on 18-19 March 2027 at Mooloolaba.

Designed for rural generalists who have gained fellowship in the last 5 years, you’ll network with your peers while building the skills and support for the next stage of your career with sessions on:
👉 leadership, supervision and management
👉 post-fellowship support
👉 your wellbeing and career next steps
👉 rural case studies
👉 refreshing procedural skills.

The summit is free for eligible rural generalist fellows but places are limited.

➡️ Register now to secure your place: https://bit.ly/3WGhuay

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) RACGP Rural Doctors Association of Queensland - RDAQ

23/10/2026

Vacancies | Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

📌 Senior Medical Officers/Rural Generalists | Weipa, Cooktown, Thursday Island, Bamaga

Permanent, temporary, casual - full time and part time

Multiple Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Rural Generalist (RG) opportunities are available across Bamaga, Cooktown, Thursday Island and Weipa. If you crave challenge, autonomy, and a chance to grow fast, the Torres and Cape will push you to the next level.

From remote airstrips to island clinics, no 2 days are ever the same. Working here sharpens your skills, grows your confidence, and rewards you with unforgettable experiences!

Working as a SMO or RG offers a uniquely rewarding opportunity to deliver comprehensive, patient-centred care in some of Australia's most diverse and remote communities. Clinicians practise a broad scope of medicine, managing everything from primary health care and chronic disease management to emergency presentations, retrieval medicine, inpatient care, and procedural services. This breadth of practice allows doctors to develop and maintain advanced clinical skills while making a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The roles provide a rare combination of professional autonomy, clinical variety, and strong multidisciplinary support, creating a dynamic and highly fulfilling environment for experienced medical practitioners who are passionate about rural and remote medicine.

Beyond the clinical opportunities, Torres and Cape offers an exceptional lifestyle that is difficult to match elsewhere. Imagine finishing work and heading out for a sunset fishing trip, spending weekends boating through crystal-clear tropical waters, exploring remote beaches, or camping under some of Australia's most spectacular night skies. The region's warm climate, relaxed pace of life, and strong sense of community provide the perfect balance to a rewarding medical career. You’ll become an integral part of the communities you serve, building lasting relationships both professionally and personally.

For doctors seeking adventure, sunshine, connection, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference, Torres and Cape delivers a career and lifestyle experience unlike any other.

☎️ Dr Marlow Coates on 0420 690 944

🔗 Apply by 30 June 2027: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC685646

21/10/2026

Vacancies | Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
Temporary, full-time or part-time

Join a dynamic healthcare team while enjoying the unique lifestyle and natural beauty of Far North Queensland.

📌 Principal House Officer/Medical Registrar | Cooktown
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC691117

📌 Principal House Officer/Medical Registrar | Weipa
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC693168

19/10/2026

Connect with colleagues at our Alumni and fellowed friends forum as we explore leadership in rural medicine.

This interactive session covers:
➡️ compassion for yourself and others
➡️ recognising and acknowledging whole person context
➡️ expanding the team's capacity to handle challenges
➡️ creating inclusive and psychologically-safe environments.

You'll leave with takeaways to apply these concepts in your everyday practice. Find out more and register by Wednesday 28 October: https://bit.ly/4sbU34P

💡 You don’t have to be a QRGP alum to join. All Rural Generalist and GP fellows are welcome to attend.

19/10/2026

👋 Meet Dr Emily Moody

📍 Based at: Boonah, Scenic Rim

🩺 Rural Generalist Training Advisor, Senior Medical Officer (West Moreton HHS), Chair of Queensland Clinical Networks Executive (Clinical Excellence Queensland) and National Clinical Educator (ACRRM)

🌾 Emily grew up in Cairns and is a JCU alumni. Emily knew she’d found her tribe after attending her first RDAQ conference in 2006 - twenty years ago! Emily loves all her roles, but what she treasures most is the joy she receives from caring for patients in the community of Boonah, and how valued they make her feel.

🍾 Fun fact: I always keep a bottle of ch*****ne in the fridge for emergency celebrations

☕ Coffee order: Vanilla flat white

🎵 Currently listening to: Cautionary Tales - my favourite podcast

⛱️ Outside of work you’ll find me: How do you know someone goes to the gym? They tell you. I'm telling you now 🙂

‘A career in rural medicine has led me to thrive professionally - you'll never look back’ – Emily.

19/10/2026

Congrats to Dr Dan Manahan! Well-deserved recognition of your contribution to rural medicine 🧡👏

Congratulations to Dr Dan Manahan, recipient of the 2026 ACRRM–RDAA Peter Graham ‘Cohuna’ Award, recognising outstanding advocacy and service to community and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of Rural Generalist skills.

The award is usually presented at the RMA Conference gala dinner, taking place this year in Tarndanya (Adelaide) on 23 October. As Dr Manahan is unable to attend, ACRRM CEO Marita Cowie and RDAA CEO Peta Rutherford presented his award early at a special dinner with his family, sharing a proud celebration of his contribution.

The award is the highest honour conferred by ACRRM and Rural Doctors Association Australia (RDAA), recognising an exceptional contribution to rural and remote healthcare.

Read the media release to learn more about Dr Manahan’s achievements: https://www.acrrm.org.au/about-us/news-events/media-releases/article/2026/10/01/dan-s-the-man!-exceptional-rural-doctor-recognised-for-huge-impact-on-healthcare-both-at-home-and-in-the-pacific

16/10/2026

Vacancies | Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
Multiple positions: Casual, permanent or temporary, full-time or part-time

Enjoy the Far North lifestyle while making a meaningful impact to communities that genuinely need and value your expertise.

📌 Senior Medical Officer/Rural Generalist | Thursday Island
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC691175

📌 Senior Medical Officer/Rural Generalist – Obstetrics | Weipa
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC693020

📌 Senior Medical Officer/Rural Generalist – Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine | Weipa
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC692803

📌 Senior Medical Officer/Rural Generalist | Weipa
🔗Apply: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC692802

13/10/2026

Vacancies | Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

📌 Senior Medical Officers/Rural Generalists | Cooktown

Permanent, temporary, casual - full time and part time

As a Senior Medical Officer, your expertise, skills and dedication play a crucial role in providing quality care and ensuring positive outcomes for patients across the Torres and Cape. You'll work in diverse and supportive environments that offer attractive lifestyle opportunities and experiences and enable you to make a valuable contribution in small communities.

The Cooktown community will help you grow, connect, learn and create life-defining experiences that will shape who you are as a health professional and a person.

☎️ Dr Natasha Coventry on 07 4043 0219

🔗 Apply now: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC691457

09/10/2026

Vacancies | Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

📌 Senior Medical Officers/Rural Generalists (Anaesthetics) | Weipa and Thursday Island

Multiple Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Rural Generalist (RG) opportunities are available across Weipa and Thursday Island. From remote airstrips to island clinics, no 2 days are ever the same. Working in the Torres Strait region sharpens your skills, grows your confidence and rewards you with unforgettable experiences!

Working as a SMO or RG offers exceptional clinical variety across primary care, emergency medicine, and procedural anaesthetics in resourceful and dynamic settings. Practice medicine in a remote, multicultural island community ensuring continuity of care across some of the most remote communities in Australia.

The roles provide a rare combination of professional autonomy, clinical variety, and strong multidisciplinary support, creating a dynamic and highly fulfilling environment for medical practitioners who are passionate about rural and remote medicine.

Weipa - permanent, temporary, casual, full time and part time positions

☎️ Dr Stephen Johnston on 0432 280 603

🔗 Apply now: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC692801



Thursday Island - permanent position

☎️ Dr Jennifer Wharton on 0477 508 295

🔗 Apply now: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC691176