Rural Doctors Foundation

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About us

10+

years of helping people in rural and remote communities 

A rural health charity giving country people better health

Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity. We exist to give those in rural and remote regions better access to lifesaving healthcare. As rural doctors and community members, we care deeply about the places where we live and work. From the remotest outback regions to pristine coastal areas and bustling rural farming districts. Together, we’re creating meaningful change to give people a better chance at health in our regions.

As rural doctors, we see health inequities every day. There are fewer services. As well as fewer resources and fewer health professionals in the bush. And as a result, this has a great impact on disease, life expectancy, and mental wellbeing. Research shows that mortality rates are 1.8 times higher than they are in urban areas. Three in five rural people don’t see a specialist when they need to, Mostly, because there isn’t one close by.

Our values

Courage

We will act with conviction and integrity and take informed risks.

Trust

We will be credible, reliable, connected and selfless.

Care

We will be diligent, compassionate, responsive and effective

Our vision

Rural doctors for rural communities
Young boy and girl in Akubras

Our purpose

To support better health in rural and remote communities

Rural Doctors Foundation is caring, committed and connected to rural and remote communities

Our rural health charity creates change at the local level. Working on projects that directly help rural and remote people improve the health of their communities. The people we serve in rural and remote communities have unique needs. Rural Doctors Foundation recognises the diverse health needs of all people that make up regional areas.

Our work supports First Nations health and the vibrancy of Indigenous communities. As well as farming communities, and regional townships. So, it’s about working with remote and rural people, on the ground, to deliver the right support, in the right way. 

distributed to rural communities in need
$ 100000 +
to support rural GPs and medical students
$ 50000 +
pieces of medical equipment provided to rural GPs and communities
50
medical programs funded to get off the ground
1

Our history

Rural Doctors Foundation  was established by Rural Doctors Association Queensland. The rural health charity was born from the 2011 floods when many remote areas were in crisis and we knew something needed to be done.

Our story begins with a few dedicated doctors....

Our story starts with a small number of rural doctors including Dr John Hall and Dr Dan Halliday who believed that access to life-saving health and wellbeing should always be available. In times of crisis, in times of hardship, and importantly, no matter how remote the location. This dedication to equality for remote and rural communities  is the spark that ignited Rural Doctors Foundation. 

And it continues to fuel our cause. A cause that is growing as we expand to support those living in rural and remote communities across Australia.

Making it official

In 2013, Dr Dan Halliday became the RDAQ secretary. At this time, he presented a proposal to the RDAQ membership to establish RDAQ Foundation to address  gaps in  rural and remote community health. The membership enthusiastically supported the initiative at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. Outgoing RDAQ president, Dr Adam Coltzau was endorsed as the inaugural chair of RDAQ Foundation (now Rural Doctors Foundation) and in 2015, the Foundation achieved DGR status. 

In 2021, we changed our name to Rural Doctors Foundation to reflect its commitment to support those in rural and remote communities across Australia.

Today, our vision for more people to enjoy healthy lives with access to quality local care.

2011
Seeing the need

The floods of 2011 decimated rural communities. A small group of rural doctors saw the need to ensure uninterrupted access to urgent medical care. Dr Adam Coltzau, Dr John Hall and Dr Dan Halliday developed the idea of a Foundation to support rural GPs and their communities.

2013
Presenting the case

As Secretary of RDAQ, Dr Dan Halliday proposes to the membership of RDAQ to establish RDAQ Foundation.

2014
Receiving endorsement

RDAQ endorses the proposal and Dr Adam Coltzau is appointed the inaugural Chair of RDAQ Foundation.

2015
Making it official

The Foundation is formally recognised as a health charity and receives Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Health checks are provided at BEEF 2015.

2016
Receiving funds

With the support of Dr Tony Brown, the Foundation is successful in securing funding with the closure of Tropical Medical Training. This secures our future.
RDAQ is funded to provide executive support to the Foundation up until 2020.

2017
Enhancing our governance

Finance, Risk and Investment Committee and Executive Committee are formed.
Natasha Coventry is appointed Chair.

2018
Growing our voice

Research is conducted at BEEF 2018 adding weight to our voice to advocate for better rural health care.

2019
Supporting rural communities

Grants4Good Health program is launched, and four grants are awarded.

2020
Defining our future

The Board undertakes Change Management Project confirming their commitment to invest in new strategy and resourcing.
Dan Halliday is appointed Chair.

2021
Receiving endorsement

We launch a major advocacy and fundraising campaign resulting in over 180 COVID Medihoods distributed to rural hospitals. Grants Committee is formed. Fran Avon is selected as CEO and an Executive Assistant is appointed.

2022
A national focus

RDAQ Foundation is renamed to Rural Doctors Foundation and updates its Constitution to reflect a national focus. Relationship Manager appointed. A total of 21 grants to a value of over $300,000 awarded through our Grants4GoodHealth program. Emergency Relief funding is provided to GPs impacted by the devastating floods in Northern NSW and Queensland. Dr Michael Rice is appointed Chair.

2023
Committing to better health outcomes

Medical Director and Project Manager work to develop program to provide GP services to rural health practitioners. Our major research report Health of Rural Health Practitioners is delivered. Grants Committee is replaced by Program Committee. Fundraising Committee is established. Over 15 Emergency Trauma Kits, ‘Sandpiper Bags’’ distributed to rural GPs across Australia.

2024
Hitting the road

GPs4RuralDocs is launched in Charleville, Cunnamulla and Quilpie. Two rural GPs appointed and six host practices confirmed to deliver the program. Amanda Roser is appointed Chair.

Our governance

Rural Doctors Foundation has a volunteer Board of Directors, supported by an Executive Team. We operate in line with our Constitution and Governance Framework. We have Deductible Grant Recipient (DGR) status.

Review our Governance Structure

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Our people

The Foundation is made up of people who understand and care deeply about rural and remote communities. Because we are part of them. People with a passion for improving health outcomes outside metro areas.

Meet our people

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Our partners

Rural Doctors Foundation partners with organisations that share our passion for rural and remote. Our partners are committed to helping us deliver life-saving healthcare solutions.

Meet our partners

23_Constitutiion

Our publications

Issues facing rural and remote people need more air time. And so, we’re keen to help everyone understand them. Review our  publications on important rural health topics, including our annual report.

Read our publications

Testimonials

Thank you to the Rural Doctors Foundation for their invaluable support of the Happy Healthy Teddies Program. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to bring health education to some of our youngest rural and remote Australians in an engaging, interactive and entertaining manner.

Dr Mitee Parekh

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Capability Health and Rural Doctors Foundation share the same core values to close the gap in rural and remote health services.

Capability Health provides locally based Allied Health Care to Cape York.

Despite an increased need for health services, it can be difficult to attract and retain staff in these areas, often leaving a significant gap between need and access to services.  The funding received from Rural Doctors Foundation contributed to the set up of Capability Health, providing allied health services in Far North Queensland. 

 

Anna Drum
Myotherapist 
Capability Health 

 .

The Darling Downs Indigenous Health Team would sincerely thanks Rural Doctors Foundation for the support of this vital project – Suicide Prevention and Capacity Building.

With support from Rural Doctors Foundation, we are able to upskill and develop community members’ ability to manage suicide risk in Cherbourg, an Aboriginal community in the South Burnett region. 

This project is the first of its kind in this region and we envisage it will be a legacy that will impact future generations to come.

 

Rica Lacey
Director of Indigenous Health  

 .

While we were driven by a need to support the physical and mental wellbeing of those in rural communities, when we kicked off Rural and Remote Yoga we could not have expected the support, recognition and results we have achieved.

The online yoga classes allow participants to proactively care for their health and wellbeing. In addition, our classes have connected communities, challenged people to try something new, taught lifelong mindfulness skills and built confidence.

We congratulate Rural Doctors Foundation for being a caring, forward thinking, progressive organisation that values proactively supporting health outcomes. By providing long term mental health programs like yoga and mindfulness you are helping to overcome health challenges of rural living and social isolation.

Beth Burgess
The Yoga Partnership