Dr Caitlin Frede started her GP training as a composite pathway registrar in the Hunter, Manning and Central Coast subregion. After undertaking a term in Tamworth, and enjoying the work and lifestyle, she transferred to the New England/Northwest subregion.

Dr Camilla King has moved from Tamworth to Inverell (200 km north) to take up a training post in Aboriginal health – having experienced city life her goal is to be a rural GP.

Tamworth-based GP and GP Synergy medical educator, Dr David Lockart enjoys the contrast that being a medical educator gives to clinical practice, and he has some great advice for doctors thinking about GP training. 

Wanting to learn more about Aboriginal health and culture, Dr Glendon Inkster’s training in Aboriginal health has included outreach and community-based activities making the experience rewarding and always interesting.

Dr Hamze Hamze arrived in Moree in 2013 as a GP registrar, four years on he’s passionate about living in Moree and working at Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, where he is also a GP supervisor.

All GPs like to see their patients smile, for GP registrar Dr Hasan Sarwar it’s a mission that regularly takes him to Bangladesh as part of a voluntary Australian medical team he co-founded with a colleague.

Undertaking his GP training on the composite pathway, Dr Huan Doan is enjoying his rural rotation in Narrabri where he has found the community welcoming and the clinical work varied and interesting. It’s a move he’d definitely recommend.

Transferring from Sydney to Armidale to complete his GP training, Dr Hugh Pearson has no intention of returning to the big smoke. His training experience combined with the benefits of living in a rural area have reinforced his intention to work as a GP in Armidale.

After working as a physiotherapist in the UK, Dr James Marshall retrained with the aim of becoming a rural GP, he is now a GP registrar in rural NSW. Tell us a bit about yourself? I grew up on a farm near Black Mountain just north of Armidale, so not far from where I’m now…

After living and working in Sydney, Dr Jessica Chapman moved to Tamworth and completed her extended skills placement in palliative care. Her interest in regional and rural medicine, and being part of the community, has made general practice a logical choice and Tamworth the place she now calls home.

Dr Lauren-Marie Vernon has moved to New England/Northwest for her first term of GP training – Moree is providing the perfect balance of hospital and practice work for an aspiring GP Anaesthetist.

The lure of working as a GP in a rural community, combined with using her anaesthetics training in a rural hospital, has made Moree a good choice for Dr Lisa Simpson.

When Dr Maelle Morgan moved to Moree for her GP training, she only expected to stay for two years, five years later, she is a qualified GP and GP supervisor who can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Despite growing up in Newcastle and studying in Sydney, Dr Mary Elsley had her sights set on training to become a rural procedural GP in New England/Northwest. Having completed Advanced Skills Training in paediatrics she is completing GP training in Inverell.

Having grown up, studied and worked in Sydney, Dr Matthew Chan found himself in New England/Northwest for his GP training, now he’s in no hurry to get back to the city. He shares his experience of moving to the country town of Gunnedah, a place he hadn’t visited before he started GP training.

Deliberately seeking out out an Aboriginal health training post, Dr Nada Abu Alrub has found the broad scope of practice and the emphasis on holistic medicine rewarding. She’s also very happy to be part of the local community. 

Dr Phyo Kyaw received the highest AKT score amongst GP Synergy registrars this term. His supervisor Dr Paul Saad is passionate about rural health care and training registrars in Quirindi.

Dr Saima Arshad moved to New England/Northwest for her GP training. Recently Fellowed, she has settled in the town of Narrabri where she and her family intend to stay for at least the next few years.

Dr Suha Tazami undertook her GP training in New England/Northwest, having previously worked with outreach programs in the Palestinian West Bank and Jordan Valley, she is now excited to be working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Believing that GPs play an important role in Closing the Gap, Dr Yliana Dennett sought out an Aboriginal health post, then finding endless learning opportunities she stayed on for a second term.

Are you wondering about GP training in the New England/Northwest subregion? Three registrars undertaking their training in the subregion told us what they think.