Celebrating 20 years of the Roma Agreement: A milestone in rural generalism
From left to right: Rod Peadon (NSW), Deanne Bond (QLD), Erin Furness, Dr Louise Baker (NSW), Dr Vinod Pushpalingam, Dr Prue Wallin (QLD) and Dr Mike Beckoff (SA).
On Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October 2025, rural generalists and key stakeholders in rural health gathered in Roma, Queensland, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Roma Agreement – a landmark commitment that laid the foundation for strengthening and supporting rural medical training in Queensland. This pivotal agreement sparked the development of Australia’s first Rural Generalist Pathway, which has since inspired similar models across the country, including here in WA.
Representing RGPWA at the event were Dr Vinod Pushpalingam, Director of Rural Generalist Training, and Erin Furness, Senior Project Officer. Their attendance provided an opportunity to learn from Queensland’s two-decade journey in rural generalism and contribute to national conversations about the future of rural medical training and workforce development. The two-day celebration was not only a time to reflect on the progress made since 2005, but also a chance to explore how rural generalist training pathways can continue to evolve to meet the needs of remote communities and trainees alike. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, the event reaffirmed the importance of shared learning and national alignment in shaping the future of rural generalist medicine.