KEEP IN TOUCH
(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
I am delighted to join Health Workforce Queensland as CEO and to work alongside such a passionate team, united by our commitment to making a real and lasting difference for communities across our state.
My personal commitment to remote and rural health runs deep. Having been born and raised in South West Queensland, and spending much of my career in the region, I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges and the incredible opportunities that exist in rural Queensland. My journey has taken me through hospital and primary care settings in the Darling Downs and South West, giving me a genuine appreciation for the dedication of our clinicians. Rural General Practice is especially close to my heart as my wife is a rural GP, so I understand on both a professional and personal level the unique rewards and hurdles faced by those serving our communities.
Professionally, I bring experience in health workforce strategy, partnerships, and service delivery, including time as CEO of Murrumbidgee PHN in the Riverina region of NSW. I know that addressing complex workforce issues is bigger than any one organisation - it takes collaboration across sectors to create real, lasting change. I’m optimistic that, together, we can “turn the dial” on workforce challenges and build sustainable solutions for the future. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate on addressing these challenges and would value your ideas and perspectives, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at ceo@healthworkforce.com.au.
Reflecting on the last few months of 2025, I’m proud of how HWQ finished the year. Our teams proudly represented us at key sector events like GP25, IAHA, and AIDA Conferences - wonderful opportunities to share insights, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for the needs of remote and rural clinicians. A special highlight was Jo Symons, our Executive Manager of Strategy & Partnerships, proudly present the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year Award to the incredibly deserving Morgan Appleby at the IAHA Conference.
Our Annual General Meeting on 29 November was another important milestone, giving us a chance to celebrate our progress and look ahead. It was fantastic to see Dr Ross Maxwell, Jane Williams, and Dr Kris Battye re-elected as Board Directors; their experience and continuity will be invaluable as we move forward.
On 3 December, we released our 2024–2025 Annual Report, which captured a year of momentum, strategic growth, and a renewed focus on wellbeing across remote and rural health services. The report highlights the meaningful progress we have made, while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining clinicians where they’re needed most.
I am energised by what HWQ has achieved and am deeply grateful for the commitment of our staff, partners, stakeholders, and communities. Together, I know we can build on this momentum in 2026 and beyond.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to connecting with you in the year ahead.
Stewart Gordon
CEO, Health Workforce Queensland
