Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network

We are passionate about improving the healthcare of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network (IGPRN) is a network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP registrars to provide professional and cultural support to one another.

All Indigenous GP registrars are invited to be a part of IGPRN — it is free to join.

IGPRN works to ensure that we continue to Close the Gap — we believe, as part of the reconciliation process, it is essential that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders play a critical role in the Australian health system.

The network was formed in 2008 by Indigenous GP registrars who saw that the challenges and opportunities they faced would be experienced better with support from their peers. Today, it continues on in its mission to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP registrars.

Please email igprn@igprn.org.au to let us know you are interested in joining the network.

If you are an Indigenous Fellow, please get in touch! There are many opportunities to provide mentorship and to present at our workshops.

Dr Ty Claywoth

Network Chair

Dr Ty Clayworth is a Biripi man from Wauchope in NSW. He now resides on Awabakal Country (in Newcastle) with his partner and two young kids, Rory and Ted. When he is not working as a local GP you will find him either chasing his kids around the park or making his partner cups of chai tea. Ty is the current sitting chair of the Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network.

Dr Mark Wenitong

Network patron

Dr Mark Wenitong is the Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University School of Tropical Public Health, the Aboriginal Public Health Medical Officer at NACCHO and the Senior Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council. He is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland.

Mark has worked as the senior medical officer at Wuchopperen Health Services in Cairns, and as medical advisor to OATSIH in Canberra. He is the former president and founding member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, and is a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council, National Preventative Health Committee, and the National Lead Clinicians Group. He holds a ministerial appointee to NATSIHEC, the Independent e-health Advisory Committee, and chairs the Andrology Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Reference Group.

Mark is also a council member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. In 2011, Mark was awarded the AMA President’s Award for Excellence in Healthcare, and in 2010, he received the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame Award.

Improved healthcare of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is our objective

Currently, in Australia, around 80 GP registrars, 250 Indigenous medical practitioners and 400 medical students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Over half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients attend mainstream general practice.

We encourage everyone to learn more about Close the Gap. Also, you can consider working in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training post.

Bi-annual IGPRN workshops

Each year, IGPRN runs two national workshops. All Indigenous GP registrars are invited to attend. Indigenous Fellows are welcome to join and provide support, mentorship and, where applicable, present at the workshops.

At each workshop, you will have the opportunity to:

  • participate in exam preparation, including practice exams in exam conditions
  • connect peer-to-peer with other Indigenous GP registrars
  • be mentored by Indigenous Fellows
  • undertake professional development
  • undertake medical education
  • complete accredited courses (for example, advanced life support)
  • network with peers, Fellows and practices
  • attend social events.

Email igprn@igprn.org.au for more information or if you would like to attend the next workshop. 

Find an Indigenous mentor or a study group

IGPRN can connect you with Indigenous GP Fellows who are interested in either mentoring or providing study support. Support can be provided face-to-face or online.

If you are an Indigenous GP Fellow interested in mentoring or supporting clinical education and exam workshop activities, please contact us.

Through formal and informal means, IGPRN members support each other by sharing their experiences and knowledge. The support of Indigenous peers during your time as a GP registrar can make a big impact on your experience. Through all our activities, we aim to better connect Indigenous GP registrars with their peers.

Please contact GPRA or email igprn@igprn.org.au if you would like to find or be an Indigenous mentor or find an Indigenous study group.

Partnerships & Scholarships

Through collaborative partnerships with other organisations, IGPRN can connect you with exciting opportunities during GP training.

We aim to improve your experience by working with these organisations:

  • Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
  • Department of Health
  • General Practice Registrars Australia
  • General Practice Supervision Australia
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
  • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and regional affiliates
  • Regional Training Organisations and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme.

Scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are available to search here.

Get in touch if you are interested in joining the network.

Rhys Howard Program Manager – IGPRN
(03) 9629 8878

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