This has been a significant year for Rural Generalism and for the College. While our rural and remote communities have faced economic and environmental challenges, we’re confident in the opportunities to turn this around. We’re at a pivotal moment in our history, with a strong appetite to take bold action, and I’m extremely proud as President to be in a position to help lead the College forward as the world leader in rural and remote health.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, there are many notable achievements worthy of recognition, including:

• welcoming the largest number of training applications across all pathways in ACRRM history, resulting in the most training positions being offered;
• maintaining AMC accreditation with zero conditions or recommendations for improvement;
• hosting the most successful and highest-attended RMA on record;
• becoming the first medical college in Australia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Defence Force;
• significant progress in the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a sub-speciality in the specialty of general practice; and
• rapidly expanding and directly working with our supervisors and trainees to ensure we are well placed to undertake College-led training.

We have also embarked on a ‘Respectful Workplaces’ initiative which aims to support safe workplaces for all members, while also reviewing our own internal structures, policies and procedures to foster and uphold a workplace culture where diversity is celebrated and both staff and members are empowered to flourish and reach their full potential.

What motivates me as College President is first and foremost the people; the communities we serve; the people of Australia with their unique needs in rural and remote settings; and the passion to deliver them world-class medical care.

I’m enthused to continue working towards representing the views of our members and continue to position ACRRM as world leaders in rural health.

Thank you all for your passion and support over the last 12 months. I wish you a safe and happy holiday period and look forward to coming back in 2020 refreshed and revived for an even bigger year ahead.

Warm regards

Dr Ewen McPhee
ACRRM President