The staff in our cultural education unit have extensive experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. They are enthusiastic about GP training, and supporting Aboriginal community controlled health services, you can contact them on 1300 477 963 or aboriginalhealth@gpsynergy.com.au.

Anthony Paulson | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Manager
Anthony Paulson is a proud Aboriginal man and his people are Worimi and Mununjali people. Anthony is a saltwater man from Taree on the Mid North Coast of NSW. He has experience working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) setting and extensive experience working with community in both government and non-government roles, in rural and remote locations within NSW. Anthony thoroughly enjoys working with different stakeholders and learning from different communities and his Elders. In 2017, Anthony joined GP Synergy as the Manager of the Aboriginal Cultural Education Unit and enjoys the diversity the role brings.

Christopher J O’Brien | Cultural Educator (Lower Eastern NSW)
Christopher is a Yorta Yorta man from Cummeroogunja from the Murray River region. As Cultural Educator for Lower Eastern NSW he provides support for the training of GP registrars in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by implementing key priority areas in the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan. Christopher is the coordinator of the Diploma in Practice Management for Aboriginal Medical Services. He has extensive experience in the ACCHS sector and practice management. Working directly with key stakeholders in the ACCHS sector Christopher is also the unit’s contact for marketing and practice management support.

Vicki Cosgrove | Cultural Educator (Hunter, Manning and Central Coast and Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney)
Vicki is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Sydney and has worked extensively with Aboriginal Communities across NSW for more than 20 years. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from her background in the public sector and Aboriginal community involvement. Vicki served for two years on the RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Education Committee as both a community representative and deputy chair. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and a Diploma in Aboriginal Studies. Vicki is passionate about equipping and empowering Aboriginal organisations to better serve their communities and is committed to educating others about Aboriginal history and the rich cultural heritage Aboriginal people contribute.

Gwen Troutman-Weir | Cultural Educator (Western NSW)
Gwen is a Murri woman from Mungindi which is on Gomeroi Country located on the NSW/QLD border. She has a Bachelor of Health Science and is a strong community advocate for education, sharing knowledge and has been working in Aboriginal health and education for more than 30 years. Gwen also possesses a genuine passion for working with individuals and communities when seeking the best options for sustainable community based programs and projects to achieve better, and more sustainable outcomes that are owned and led by our Aboriginal peoples.
Harry Beckers | Cultural Educator (North Coast and New England/Northwest)
Harry joined the GP Synergy Ballina office in August 2021. He is a proud Bundjalung and South Sea Islander from Byron Bay Arakwal country in Northern NSW and has an interest in Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing, and support programs. Previously Harry worked across the North Eastern NSW region for the Warruwi Responsible Gambling fund as a project worker. He has worked in community for many years in family services and employment and training. Harry has previously worked in North Coast Medicare Local as a Closing the Gap project worker and strongly supports the initiatives to promote the growth of our community development and control for a stronger future.
Jacqueline Price | Cultural Educator (Murrumbidgee and ACT)
Jacqueline is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Cootamundra. She has previously worked across NSW government in health and education. Jacqueline comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, holding diplomas in adult education, medical science and counselling. Over her past 5 years with GP Synergy, Jacqueline has worked in a variety of areas from Training Coordinator to Practice Experience Program. She has a strong connection to country. With a holistic approach to education, health and counselling. Advocating Aboriginal Community lead programs to support rural communities from the ground up. Jacqueline has a passion for bushfoods and beekeeping.

Rhiannan Reid | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Administration Officer
Rhiannan is a proud Ngiyampaa woman from Western NSW. Rhiannan joined GP Synergy in April 2018 as an Administration Trainee for the Education Coordination Team and was based in the Dubbo office. Whilst in her traineeship she completed Certificates 3 and 4 in Business. Rhiannan gained a fulltime job with GP Synergy as the Program Support Officer in the Newcastle office and then moved into the position of Administration Officer for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit.