My name is James Berry, and I am a GPT-2 registrar based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. I am writing to express my interest in joining the GPRA Board of Directors serving from 2025–2028. I wish to acknowledge the current success of the GPRA Board in its ongoing efforts to support and advocate for GP registrars across Australia. The organisation’s dedication to improving working conditions, educational access, and overall registrar wellbeing has made a significant impact. I am eager to contribute to this continued momentum—building on the Board’s strong foundations to further strengthen the voice and visibility of registrars within the general practice profession.

I believe GPRA plays a vital role in protecting the rights, strengthening the responsibilities, and expanding the opportunities of GP registrars. If elected, I would advocate passionately for initiatives that consolidate our position as the next generation of Australia’s General Practitioner workforce.

I bring experience from medicine and beyond. I have served on multiple university and not-for-profit boards, where I developed a strong understanding of how organisations can balance member expectations with fiscal and operational accountability. I also have a deep passion for education, currently serving as a Lecturer at Griffith University and appointed as a RACGP Registrar Medical Educator for 2026. These roles allow me to engage directly with medical students and registrars; ensuring their voices are represented in GPRA’s planning and decision-making frameworks.

Through my own experiences and conversations with colleagues, I have identified several key areas that registrars consistently seek improvement in:

• Registrar Education and Examinations:
  Many registrars feel compelled to purchase costly third-party resources to pass their RACGP exams—often spending thousands of dollars beyond existing exam and membership fees. I will advocate for greater access to free, high-quality education resources and increased transparency in the pricing structure of RACGP examinations.
• Registrar Remuneration:
  The transition from hospital to general practice often results in a sharp decrease in income. While clinical confidence grows over time, remuneration under the current NTCER agreement does not reflect this progression. I believe GPT-1 registrars should receive a higher base rate and that minimum percentage billings should increase in line with training progression. I would also seek clarity around the objectives and long-term plans of the Single Employer Model to ensure it aligns with registrar expectations.
• Role of Health Practitioners in Primary Care:
  The recent expansion of clinical responsibilities to pharmacists and nurses has significantly reshaped primary care delivery. Too often, these changes occur without adequate consultation with GPs and registrars. I will advocate for transparent stakeholder engagement, including early input from GPRA and other representative bodies, to safeguard patient care standards and support the sustainability of general practice.

I am equally passionate about improving diversity in the GP workforce, promoting billing education, addressing rural and remote workforce shortages, and strengthening feedback mechanisms for registrar rotation grievances.

If elected, I will work diligently to represent GPRA members with integrity, transparency, and steadfast commitment. I am deeply motivated to help secure a bright and sustainable future for General Practice in Australia.

I am nominating for the role of Voting Member Director on the GPRA Board because I care deeply about the future of general practice and the wellbeing of registrars navigating this training journey. Living and working on Bundjalung Country in the Northern Rivers has given me a strong appreciation for the diversity, resilience and community focus that make general practice so rewarding – but also the unique challenges faced by rural and regional doctors in training.

I currently work as a RACGP registrar in Bangalow, where I see every day how critical it is for registrars to feel supported, valued and heard. Alongside my clinical work, I have served as a Registrar Liaison Officer with the RACGP, advocating for peers within the College and helping to strengthen communication between registrars and training teams. These experiences have shown me how much difference genuine advocacy can make – not just in policy, but in the confidence and wellbeing of registrars on the ground.

Before entering general practice, I worked across paediatrics and hospital medicine, and I hold a Master of Science (Research) from UNSW, where my research with Neuroscience Research Australia explored ways to translate evidence into better patient outcomes. Through this work, I also developed and host Hipcast, a podcast designed to make clinical research accessible to healthcare professionals and the public. This experience taught me that good communication and evidence-based advocacy are essential to creating meaningful, lasting change – lessons I would bring to the GPRA Board.

Teaching and mentorship have always been important to me. Through my experience as a Conjoint Associate Lecturer at UNSW and a mentor with UNSW Women in Medicine, I’ve supported students and junior doctors through the ups and downs of training. These roles have reinforced my belief that registrars thrive when they are part of a connected, supportive community – one that recognises both their professional ambitions and their personal wellbeing.

If elected, my priorities would include:

1. Equity and advocacy – championing fair, transparent and flexible training pathways, particularly for those in rural and regional areas.
2. Wellbeing and mentorship – expanding peer support networks and promoting practical strategies to prevent burnout.
3. Connection and communication – ensuring registrars from every region feel represented and engaged through GPRA’s national platform.

I bring to this role the perspective of someone who is still in training but has experience across education, research and governance. I’ve chaired research groups, founded a surgical research society, and worked across universities and hospitals to improve systems that support learning and collaboration. These roles have taught me to listen carefully, act with integrity, and stay grounded in the needs of the people I represent.

General practice on the North Coast has shown me how powerful community-focused healthcare can be. I believe GPRA plays a crucial role in ensuring registrars everywhere – from city clinics to rural towns – are supported to become confident, capable GPs. I would be honoured to contribute to that mission as a member of the Board.

Hi Everyone, I’m Phil Orme, Senior GPRA Registrar Advisor and GP. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many of you through GPRA, advocating for fair treatment and a better future for our profession. 

I’m applying to be an Elected Director on the GPRA Board because I love working for GPRA and would be honored to help shape the future of GPs in Australia. I’d be grateful for your support and your vote.

Why vote for me?

• Senior GPRA Registrar Advisor: on the ground, advocating for your rights daily
• Deep understanding of the purpose of GPRA, NTCER and equitable treatment 
• Tech Industry Experience (Advisor to multiple Medical Startups): keeping GP Trainees at the cutting edge
• Strong business & financial background
• Practical, strategic, and future focused

I am nominating for the position of Elected Director on the GPRA Board because this is a critical time for our profession and I bring a unique blend of frontline GPRA experience, technological insight, and commercial acumen that will contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s direction.

I am the Senior Registrar Advisor for GPRA, so I understand the challenges, needs, and aspirations of our members. I engage daily with GP registrars across the country and have a thorough knowledge of your rights under the National Terms and Conditions for the Employment of Registrars (NTCER). I advocate to ensure these rights are upheld and that registrars are treated fairly. This has sharpened my appreciation of the systemic issues that shape the registrar experience.

Further, I have significant experience in the technology industry. As healthcare continues to evolve, it is crucial that GPRA and its members are not left behind by technological advancements, particularly AI. We must embrace modern tools to improve training. If elected, I will push initiatives that position GPRA as a forward thinking organisation that evolves alongside healthcare and society.

In addition, I bring commercial and financial experience to this role with experience in the business world. I understand how organisations like GPRA must operate to remain sustainable, transparent, and accountable. I will contribute to governance including risk management, financial oversight, and strategic planning, in alignment with the expectations of a Board member role.

In line with GPRA’s responsibilities in advocacy and representation, I am committed to amplifying the voice of registrars in a constructive way. I am already deeply engaged with the experiences of our members, and I will ensure that feedback from the Advisory Council is translated into clear action.

As a board member, I will approach my duties with diligence, integrity and clear judgement. I make evidence based decisions and I will take all my Board responsibilities seriously. I understand the importance of confidentiality, ethical conduct, and managing conflicts of interest.

I listen actively and respect the complexity of issues facing General Practice today, including our IMGs who I have been serving as a Registrar Advisor. My approach to leadership is collaborative, empathetic, and focused on long term impact. I understand the culture and politics of General Practice in Australia and I believe GPRA has a critical role in shaping the future of our profession.

Board membership is a chance to lead meaningful change. With my frontline GPRA experience, technological insight, and business mindset, I am ready to contribute to the Board’s mission of representing and supporting GP registrars nationwide.

Thank you for considering my nomination.

Thank you for considering my application to serve alongside your current accomplished Board Directors.  It would be a privilege to contribute to the leadership of the GPRA and diligently undertake my Director duties to ensure that the needs of existing and future members are met. 

I currently provide care to my local community in Mandurah, Western Australia, as an RACGP GPT2 FSP Registrar, and am completing RACGP Fellowship training with a firm belief in the value of the vocation of general practice.  

I have reflected that the role of Board Director calls for an agile mind that recognises and responds to needs at a frontline and system-wide level. Such reflection has been informed through more than 20 years engaged in clinical, administrative and senior leadership roles in the health systems of WA, NSW and QLD; in private, public, metropolitan, regional and rural contexts.

In my current and previous roles I have come to deeply appreciate the work required to transform vision into deliberate action such that meaningful change may be effected.  I have also developed an understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses and forged the strong, authentic, adaptive and ethical leadership capacity required to meet the mandate provided by those I serve.

As a GPRA Board Director, I believe that I may serve and contribute with strengths in the areas of:

Strategic Planning and Executive Leadership

• specialist qualifications in medical administration (FRACMA) and management (FCHSM / CHE), membership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and completion of the AICD Company Directors Course training.
• sound understanding of the role of the Board and the demarcation between it and the Executive functions of an organisation.
• strategic planning, clinical service redesign, fiduciary oversight and workforce engagement.
• understand local and system wide challenges experienced by consumers and providers of clinical care, as well as the challenges in maintaining a skilled, engaged and supported medical workforce.
• effectively defining and achieving outcomes for the organisation whilst advocating for frontline clinicians, successfully articulating the imperative for action and risks of action or inaction.

Clinical Governance, Safety, Quality and Risk Management

• worked to ensure strong governance mechanisms existed and delivered strategic medical leadership and vision as Medical Lead for Patient Safety and Quality
• supported front-line clinicians in understanding the principles of quality improvement such that they could make meaningful changes to ensure safe and effective practice
• previously contributed to State-wide and health-service-wide specialist medical credentialing / scope of practice review processes
• chaired National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, Credentialing and Medical Advisory committees
• provided oversight of the potential introduction of new procedures and technologies.

Advocacy and Communication

• demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships based on trust and respect 
• developed processes to encourage stakeholder feedback and nurture a culture of openness and reflective practice
• demonstrated pragmatic and empathetic approach to conflict resolution and negotiation
• advocated for those without an effective voice and supported them to a successful outcome
• overseen medical peer support and welfare initiatives
• engaged with local PHN’s, AMS and non-medical stakeholders through interagency collaboration
• engaged with stakeholders to understand and met the needs of the local community, attract / retain a qualified and engaged medical workforce and sustain a vibrant and healthy community.

There is much to do to effectively advocate for the key role of GPs in health care. The GPRA Board’s role in advocacy and ensuring exemplary governance is critical and I seek your endorsement of my Director nomination as I believe that I can meaningfully contribute to the collective interests of GPRA members.

I am nominating for the position of GPRA Board Director because I want the next generation of GPs to have a seat at the table as decisions are being made about the future of our profession and our healthcare system. 

I’m a recently-fellowed (April 2024) GP blending clinical work in metropolitan Melbourne with academic research, alongside the pursuit of a full and meaningful life outside of work. I chose General Practice because I love to see and hear a broad range of people and their stories, and I value flexibility and autonomy around my career trajectory. Like many of you, I can see that the shape and structure of General Practice is changing around us and I know that early-career doctors have insights that should be heard at the highest level.

My priorities:

1. Advocating for Registrar Training and Employment 

With changes to the GP training and primary care landscape, advocating for the interests of future GPs is as important as ever. I will bring my previous experiences as Co-President of the Western Health Junior Doctor Society to ensure the needs of registrars are represented in future discussions around financial support for GP registrars and NTCER updates.

2. Diversity Representation in Policy Discussions

GPs are a diverse group of professionals across cultures, training background, geographic location, clinical interests and more, but this diversity is not always accurately reflected. My academic work and collaborations involve translating GPs’ and trainees’ practical and professional needs into guideline and policy changes, and I will bring this experience to ensure the full spectrum of diverse GP perspectives are represented at the level of policy discussions.

3. Supporting sustainability of General Practice as a career 

In order to be sustainable, General Practice as a training and career pathway needs to support professional growth and facilitate a life outside of work. As a new parent, I have a deep appreciation for workplace structures that address the practical realities that occur alongside training. Through GPRA I would like to contribute to strategies that make General Practice a lifelong, satisfying career.

If elected to the GPRA Board I would be delighted to use my skills and experiences to strengthen advocacy, representation and career sustainability for General Practice now and into the future.

Hi everyone, I am Tina Zafari, a GPT-2 registrar based in Dja Dja Wurrung Country in rural Victoria.

Like many of you, I’ve felt the ups and downs of GP training; balancing patients, exams, and life while trying to build a meaningful, sustainable career. That’s why I’m nominating for the GPRA Board of Directors: to make sure the challenges we face every day (workload, wellbeing, and fair training conditions) are turned into real, lasting solutions. I want GPRA to stay strong, connected, and forward-looking; an organisation that not only advocates for us but also helps shape the future of General Practice.

Here’s what I bring to the table:

• Governance experience: Council Member with the Australian Medical Council (AMC), contributing to national discussions on medical training and assessments.
• Innovation and leadership: Developer of IMG Bridge, a tech-based data-driven platform to help IMGs with onboarding, connecting, and work-readiness prior to starting their career in Australia. And developer of RenoTrue®, an AI-based model that improves accuracy of eGFR calculation in people with diabetes. This was the outcome of my PhD at the University of Melbourne.
• Advocacy and communication: Host of a bilingual health podcast (20 000+ listeners), translating health information into practical, engaging conversations for CALD community in Australia.

My vision

The challenges of GP training – the pressures on registrars, the inequities in pathways, and the gap between governance and lived experience fuel my motivation to help GPRA strengthen its advocacy. I want to unite organisations like the AMC, RACGP, ACRRM, and the Department of Health to create a more streamlined and supportive training system that works for all registrars; whether you started your career here in Australia or came from overseas.

Australia’s GP workforce is diverse – rural, regional, metro, IMGs and domestic graduates – but our goals are shared: good training, fair conditions, and support to thrive and serve the community. My focus is on making that a reality through better systems, stronger collaboration, and a GPRA that reflects every registrar’s experience.

Through my AMC role, I’ve developed a deep understanding of governance, risk management, and evidence-based decision-making. I’ve seen how collaboration and good policy can drive real change. I want GPRA to stay ahead of that curve, not behind it.

I bring the lens of a practising registrar, the discipline of a researcher, and the voice of an advocate who understands both the system and the human stories within it.

My priorities if elected

• Stronger advocacy: Keep registrars’ voices at the centre of workforce and training policy.
• Smarter innovation: Use data and technology to make training more efficient and supportive.
• Better wellbeing: Promote realistic workloads and systems that prevent burnout.
• Fairness and inclusion: Support diversity across geography, culture, and training background.
• Good governance: Keep GPRA transparent, accountable, and future-ready.

Looking ahead

General practice is changing fast – facing workforce pressures, digital transformation, and new expectations. I believe we can shape that change, not just react to it. GPRA is the bridge connecting registrars, educators, and policymakers. I’m ready to help strengthen that bridge so every registrar feels supported, valued, and heard.