KEEP IN TOUCH
(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
We concluded 2024 with a number of conferences and meetings, including the RMA24 Conference in Darwin which took place from 23 to 26 October 2024. HWQ was represented by Dr Ross Maxwell and Sandra Bukumirovic and the conference provided a comprehensive platform for rural doctors to learn, connect, and grow professionally, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes in remote and rural communities.
Mrs Jo Symons presented the IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Awards for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Local Champion at the IAHA 2024 National Conference held in Adelaide from 9 to 11 December 2024. HWQ was proud to be the sponsor of this award which recognises an IAHA member who is a local inspirational cultural and professional role model or mentor. The Award recipient, Kellie Gleeson is a Worimi Woman, Oral Health Therapist, Clinical Educator and Course Coordinator at the University of Newcastle. In addition to her work roles, Kellie is a volunteer, undertakes oral health promotion in the community-controlled sector, and is actively working to support the future oral health workforce.
On 29 November during a joint board meeting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between CheckUP and HWQ, reaffirming the commitment to the collaboration to improve access to health care workforce and services in remote and rural Queensland.
We held our annual AGM on 30 November 2024 and at the conclusion of the AGM, Board Director Naomi Blake retired. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Naomi for her dedication and support over the past 10 years.
We officially released our 2023-2024 Annual Report on 3 December. This report reviews our activities and achievements in supporting a sustainable health workforce of Queensland communities. You can read the report below.
We were pleased to hear that future funding for two of our key workforce programs, Rural Health Workforce Support Activity (RHWSAP) and Scholarships (HWSP) have been extended for 4 years from 1 July 2025. This is important as it supports the remote and rural primary health care workforce and communities in need.
We are pleased to advise we have filled the Health Workforce Connector Role in Gladstone and welcomed Rosie Barton to the team in late December. You can meet Rosie below.
Earlier this month we sadly farewelled Meredith Sullivan, HWQ’s Health Workforce and Service Planning Manager. We thank Meredith for her dedication and hard work over the last 4 and half years.
I hope you had a restful break over the holidays and are as eager to dive into 2025 as we are.
Chris Mitchell,
CEO, Health Workforce Queensland
