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Dotted right across Northern Queensland are rural towns with a lot to offer. In early 2022, JCU’s GP Training program travelled to five of these towns to gather stories in the communities that will welcome new General Practioner registrars in 2023. Featuring Cloncurry, Barcaldine, Emerald, Yeppoon and Mundubbera, the ‘Be There. For Them’ campaign gives future GPs a glimpse into life in these vibrant communities.

If you want to know what regional GP training opportunities mean for rural and remote communities, just look to Weipa. This small mining town in Far North Queensland has an expanding dialysis unit, a new Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) outreach program, and will soon add a dedicated maternity service. It’s a health movement that’s changing lives, and it’s largely driven by GP registrars, like Dr Will Horwood.

Emerald, the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Queensland’s central-west. The town is fast becoming recognised for its outstanding health facilities and training opportunities. For junior doctors like Dr Natalia Anderson, the town has been the perfect place to pursue a career in general practice.

The small northwest town of Cloncurry stretches just a few kilometres along the Barkly Highway, an hour and a half out from Mount Isa. But don’t let its size fool you. Cloncurry is a growing and diverse community. Cloncurry is also a place where junior doctors are discovering a rich and rewarding career as general practitioners. Dr Emma Gillmore, GP and Senior Medical Officer moved to Cloncurry in 2020 with her husband and two young daughters to commence GP training through JCU’s program for registrars.

Dr Htoo Aung sought out a training placement in the region because he knew how valuable the experience would be to his progression as a GP. After spending the past two years as a Public Health Officer at Bundaberg Hospital, Dr Htoo commenced JCU GP training in 2022, making the move to Monto, a small town an hour north of Mundubbera.