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(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Health Workforce Queensland (HWQ) is committed to supporting rural health professionals by providing opportunities to strengthen their skills, expand their scope of practice, and connect with peers and key organisations. We proudly deliver tailored professional development workshops and actively support conferences and events that address the unique needs of the rural health workforce.
Professional Development Workshops: Strengthening Rural Health Skills Across Queensland
Annually, HWQ delivers a series of professional development workshops tailored for remote and rural GPs and nurses. This year’s Greater Doctors, Greater Communities series focused on the unique challenges faced by rural doctors and equipped GPs with practical skills to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Developed in collaboration with rural doctors, emergency specialists, and informed by our Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA), these interactive, small-group workshops focus on practical, procedural skills for a hands-on learning experience.
In 2024–2025, HWQ delivered four specialised workshops across Queensland, attracting a total of 80 participants, including 74 doctors and 6 nurses. Workshop topics included Emergency Mental Health, Emergency Paediatrics, Rural Emergency Medicine and Trauma.
Participants spanned all Modified Monash (MM) regions, with notable attendance from MM7 (20%), MM2 and MM5 (18% each), and MM4 (14%). These figures highlight HWQ’s continued reach across the most remote and underserved areas.
The workshops were exceptionally well-received, achieving a 99% overall satisfaction rate. Feedback consistently praised the quality of content, real-world applicability, and expert delivery. Participants highlighted the value of small group, hands-on learning environments tailored to the realities of rural practice.
HWQ remains committed to supporting rural health professionals through relevant, accessible, and high-impact education. The success of this year’s workshop series reinforces the critical role ongoing training plays in empowering rural clinicians and ultimately improving patient outcomes in remote communities.
To understand the real-world impact of our workshops, we spoke with Dr Heidiliza Cayari, a long-serving rural GP based in Beaudesert in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. With over two decades of rural practice and recent attendance at our Emergency Paediatrics and Rural Emergency Medicine workshops, Dr. Cayari shares how these sessions continue to build her confidence, strengthen her clinical preparedness, and reinforce her commitment to rural healthcare.
Read the full article, Dr Heidiliza Cayari: A Legacy of Rural Service and the Confidence to Care, via the button below.
Events: Celebrating Rural Communities and the Families Behind Them
In 2024–2025, Health Workforce Queensland once again proudly delivered the successful 2025 RDAQ Conference, featuring our Queensland Rural Medical Family Network (QRMFN) Family Program.
RDAQ Conference
This year marked a significant milestone for the RDAQ Conference, as Health Workforce Queensland transitioned away from our long-standing role as event partner to refocus on our core mission as a rural health workforce agency.
For over 20 years, we have proudly played a key role in supporting and helping deliver this landmark event, one that brings together rural doctors, health services, communities, and university students to celebrate and strengthen rural healthcare in Queensland.
Held in June 2025 at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, the 2025 RDAQ Conference welcomed over 250 delegates and 53 students. Health Workforce Queensland proudly sponsored and presented at the Rural Workforce Forum, which you can read more about below, and supported 10 university students to attend.
The event’s continued success was a testament to the dedication and expertise of our Training, Events and Marketing team. A strong family program, co-developed with the Queensland Rural Medical Family Network (QRMFN), added meaningful value and connection for attending families, reinforcing the importance of community support in rural medical careers.
QRMFN
Health Workforce Queensland remains a proud supporter of the Queensland Rural Medical Family Network (QRMFN), an initiative dedicated to recognising and supporting the families behind rural medical professionals.
At the 2025 RDAQ Conference, QRMFN delivered a vibrant three-day program tailored for spouses, partners, and children. The program saw 20 spouses and 30 children take part in a wide range of engaging activities designed to connect, relax, and celebrate life in rural medicine.
Highlights included both family-friendly experiences and spouse-only events, creating space for meaningful connection and support. A standout moment was the presentation of the annual “Backbone of the Bush Award” at the David Horn Memorial Gala Ball. This year’s recipient, Candida Blackwell of Mount Isa (pictured below), was honoured for her courage, creativity, and compassion, qualities that continue to inspire not only her local community but rural families across Queensland. You can read moe about Candida via the button below.
Pictured: Candida Blackwell, winner of the 2025 QRMFN Backbone of the Bush Award, at the RDAQ Conference
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Training, Events and Marketing team for their continued dedication in delivering another memorable and impactful QRMFN program.
Pictured below: The team at the RDAQ Conference L-R,
Luanne Labuschagne, Renee Masters, Aimee Najdovski, Corina Adams, Kristiane Denman
