NTGPE is pleased to welcome Dr Chris Kennedy to the position of Acting CEO after the departure of Executive Director Michael Wilson on 20 April 2012. Chris brings to NTGPE a wealth of knowledge in health profession management. Having spent the first half of his career as a General Practitioner, Chris has embraced a collective of more senior roles throughout the wider health profession, including District Manager and CEO of Townsville Hospital, Medical Coordinator of General Practice Training in ‘Tropical Medical Training’ and most recently Acting Director of Medical Training, Tropical Medical Training Ltd. Chris also has a long history of representation on Professional Associations. More recently he has been the Director of the Board of Tropical Medical Training and the Deputy Chairperson of the Medical Board of Queensland and is currently a Member of the Queensland branch of the Medical Board of Australia.

NTGPE thanks Dr Chris Kennedy for the expertise, guidance and stability he will provide whilst NTGPE conducts a nationwide search for a suitable replacement. Chris has been appointed for a 3 month period until such time as an executive replacement is secured by the Board and he will steer the continuing forward motion of NTGPE in delivering quality training programs to benefit rural health in the NT.

Dr Michael Wilson leaves NTGPE to pursue a challenging research role in Aboriginal Health and NTGPE thanks him for six years of committed service. Michael will be remembered for his robust dedication to remote health, his willingness to negotiate a better deal for the Territory and his supportive leadership style, all of which have been instrumental in sculpting NTGPE into the quality extended training institution it is today. The board and staff of NTGPE wish Michael all the best for his future endeavours.

A selection of conference presentations have kindly been made available from their authors via this website. Please click here to view the list (available in PDF format)

With over 100 special health profession guests from throughout Australia in attendance, NTGPE’s special dinner hosted in honour of its ten years of quality medical and cultural education in the NT was a fabulous night for all. Following the completion of the Teaching and Learning Conference, NTGPE treated delegates and invited guests to a special evening of remembrance and celebration in true Territory fashion to the backdrop of the MacDonnell ranges. Alice Springs put on a fantastic calm warm night for us and the evening started with the arrival of guests to the Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge and straight off to wallaby feeding.

Guests then enjoyed drinks and nibbles on the lawn before winding their way up the path past a photographic display of NTGPE’s 10 year journey across the NT through to the tastefully decorated function area, Red Centre Dreaming. Whilst entrees were served the NTGPE Board’s long standing members spoke of the achievements along the way and some of the people that forged a difference to the health and wellbeing of our remote communities. The guests then enjoyed the rest of their dinner whilst catching up with old faces and meeting new.

The atmosphere was bolstered by 13 piece band Simon and the GPettes, who turned on a fantastic performance and kept the party in full swing till the end.

A full collection of photos from the event can be viewed and downloaded at www.flickr.com/photos/ntgpe/collections/