Dr Rosie Murphy - General Practice Registrars Australia

Meet Dr Rosie Murphy:

GPRA NT Rural and Remote Scholarship recipient in 2025

Celebrating Dr Rosie Murphy: Recipient of the GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship 2025

Dr Rosemary (Rosie) Murphy is a dedicated healthcare professional whose career journey and commitment to rural and Indigenous health has earned her the prestigious GPRA Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship for 2025.

Rosie works as a GP registrar in North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, covering both Nhulunbuy and Galiwin’ku, two towns that are vastly different in landscape and culture but share one thing in common — their strong First Nations communities.

“I work on Yolngu land, in North East Arnhem Land, where I have roles in two towns — Nhulunbuy, located on the far north-eastern coast of the Northern Territory, and Galiwin’ku, on Elcho Island,” Rosie explains.

“I grew up in Melbourne, Victoria, and after studying medicine at Monash University, I trained as a paediatrician in Victoria. But three years ago, my family and I decided to make a big move north.

“We wanted to live and work in an area with a high Indigenous population, and that’s when I began my Rural Generalist training in Nhulunbuy.”

The spark of inspiration

For Rosie, her journey into medicine was sparked by two key influences.

At the age of 15, she read Gifted Hands, the memoir of renowned neurosurgeon Dr Ben Carson, and she found a mentor who was a doctor. These formative experiences helped shape her path.

“I had a mentor who was a doctor, and his guidance, along with the inspiration I drew from Ben Carson’s book, led me to pursue medicine,” says Rosie.

“They helped me see both the positives and the challenges of the profession.

“I was drawn to medicine because I wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives, especially in communities where healthcare is more difficult to access.”

Transitioning from Paediatrics to General Practice

Rosie’s decision to transition from Paediatrics to General Practice was not without its challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges for me was shifting from a paediatric focus to adult medicine,” she reflects.

“Managing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease was a steep learning curve.”

Despite these challenges, she found herself deeply drawn to the variety and connection that rural general practice offered.

“I always admired rural GPs for their versatility and the breadth of their work,” she explains.

“They are there to manage acutely unwell patients, provide ongoing care across the lifespan, and handle everything in between.

“When I moved to the Northern Territory, I realised that my non-GP specialist qualification was not enough.

“In remote areas, you need to be able to care for everyone, not just one specific age group or condition.

“The variety and connection to the community have been the most rewarding aspects of my work.”

The unique demands of rural and Indigenous healthcare

Rosie’s passion for rural GP work, particularly in a First Nations setting, is evident in the special skills required.

“Being a rural GP in an Indigenous setting is about more than just medicine,” she says.

“It’s about building relationships, learning from the community, and respecting the rich cultural knowledge that exists within the community.

“It’s also about understanding the importance of cultural practices, like bush medicine, art, and music, and recognising the decision-making processes in Indigenous communities.

“This cultural respect and connection is vital to delivering effective healthcare.”

Her work has also led her to experience deeply moving moments, especially in her involvement with palliative care.

“Working in palliative care in Yolngu communities has been incredibly rewarding,” she says.

“Death is seen as an important and sacred part of Yolngu culture, and it’s been an honour to walk with families through that journey. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

A balanced vision for the future

Looking ahead, Rosie envisions a future that balances her professional work with her family life.

“I’ve moved my family back to Melbourne this year, as my parents are ageing and my children are reaching senior secondary age,” she shares.

“However, I will continue to work remotely in North East Arnhem Land as a FIFO GP registrar/paediatrician.

“My goal is to continue to build my connections with the community, both in medicine and life, and to slowly improve my language skills, which I am passionate about.”

An honoured scholarship recipient

For Rosie, receiving the Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship is both a privilege and a responsibility.

“It’s such an honour to win this scholarship, especially considering Ada WilmaddaParry’s groundbreaking work in cultural education,” she says.

“Her work is so important, and I’m proud to be part of this legacy.

“It’s also an honour to be recognised alongside so many other NT GP registrars who are doing incredible work in Indigenous communities.”

How the scholarship will benefit Rosie’s career

The scholarship will help fund Rosie’s continued training, including a course to enable her to take ultrasound images to assess rheumatic heart disease — a major health concern in North East Arnhem Land.

“I hope to use the scholarship to further my skills, particularly in looking for rheumatic heart disease, which is a significant burden here,” she adds.

“I’ll also be using it to fund my ongoing Yolngu Language and Cultural Graduate Certificate.”

Dr Rosie Murphy will be officially presented with her scholarship at a special Celebration Function on Saturday 6 September in Darwin, as part of the GPRA NT GP Registrars Forum 2025.

NT-based GP registrars are encouraged to book their spot now at the forum. Travel costs are covered by GPRA and registrations are open until 22 August.

Find out more about the NT Forum, and secure your place