KEEP IN TOUCH
(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
There has been plenty happening across the Darling Downs West Moreton region in recent months.
In May, Health Workforce Solutions Team Leader Sandra Bukumirovic presented at the Rural and Regional Practice Management Essentials event in Toowoomba. A collaboration between Rural Medical Education Australia (RMEA) and Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, the series supports practice managers, practice nurses with leadership responsibilities, and administrative staff aspiring to management roles.
Sandra's presentation, Navigating the Pathways: IMGs in Practice - Global Doctors, Local Impact, explored the recruitment, onboarding and integration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) into remote and rural practices. Attendees gained insights into the benefits IMGs bring to communities, the role they play in strengthening workforce sustainability, and how they can support long-term succession planning for clinics facing workforce shortages.
Pictured: Sandra Bukumirovic presenting at the Rural and Regional Practice Management Essentials event, and Sandra with Tammy Dickeson from RMEA and Terrence from Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN
While in the region, Sandra and Regional Coordinator Marijana Duljaj also visited several local practices, taking the opportunity to connect with stakeholders face-to-face, including the team at Pittsworth Medical Centre.
Marijana has played a significant role in supporting the practice's workforce needs. In April last year, she successfully placed a general practitioner at Pittsworth Medical Centre, helping to prevent the practice from closing. Since then, she has supported the placement of a second GP and was delighted to meet both doctors and the practice manager in person during this visit.
Dr Alireza Shahnaz shared that he has enjoyed getting to know the Pittsworth community since starting.
“The tight-knit nature of rural communities means you have the chance to provide meaningful continuity of care, which is one of the most rewarding aspects of general practice.”
Dr Ali was also grateful for the support he received throughout the recruitment process, sharing “Health Workforce Queensland has been absolutely invaluable, especially as I navigated the complexities of starting my practice in Australia. They provided clear, step-by-step guidance through the recruitment process and the administrative paperwork required to get started.”
The visit highlighted the value of ongoing support and strong relationships in helping practices build sustainable workforces and ensuring communities continue to access essential healthcare services.
Pictured: Marijana Duljaj at Pittsworth Medical Centre with Dr Ali and Practice Manager Carol
In early July, Health Workforce Queensland was invited by Goondir Health Services to host a trade stall at the Inaugural First Nations National Reconciliation Darts Tournament as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
The Community Day brought together organisations from across the region to showcase services, programs and initiatives that support health, wellbeing, education, employment, and social and welfare outcomes. It also provided an opportunity to connect directly with community members while participating in a landmark event celebrating culture, community and reconciliation.
Sandra and Marijana enjoyed engaging with attendees throughout the day, sharing information about Health Workforce Queensland's programs and services, and strengthening relationships with local communities and stakeholders.
Pictured: Sandra Bukumirovic with Floyd Leedie, CEO, Goondir Health, and with Marijana on the HWQ trade stall at the Inaugural First Nations National Reconciliation Darts Tournament
We were delighted to be part of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Student Careers Expo once again this year.
The team enjoyed speaking with students about the many ways Health Workforce Queensland can support their journey from study to professional practice. From connecting students with rewarding graduate opportunities in remote and rural Queensland to providing access to career support programs, there was plenty of interest in the pathways available beyond graduation.
Looking ahead, preparations are well underway for the Health Workforce Queensland Allied Health Student Careers Expo, taking place in Brisbane on Friday 21 August. The event is a fantastic opportunity for students and new graduates to explore career options, meet potential employers, and learn about the support available to help launch a successful allied health career.
If you're a new graduate, soon-to-be graduate, or simply exploring your career options, we'd love to see you there. Register via the button below.
Pictured: Sandra Bukumirovic, Marijana Duljaj and Louise Bambury at ACU Careers Expo
The Darling Downs GP Symposium, held in Toowoomba on 18 July, attracted a strong turnout of GPs and primary healthcare professionals from across the region.
Health Workforce Queensland was pleased to be part of the event, hosting a trade booth and reconnecting with local practitioners, stakeholders and our PHN partners. The symposium provided an excellent opportunity to share information about our professional development workshops, scholarships and support programs available to the primary healthcare workforce.
Beyond showcasing our services, the event fostered valuable conversations about the opportunities and challenges facing healthcare in remote and rural Queensland. It was a fantastic networking opportunity and a chance to strengthen existing relationships while building new connections across the region.
Pictured: Marijana at the GP Symposium with Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN.
