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
As the manager of the team, Anthony is instrumental in driving the implementation and development of GP Synergy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan. Anthony has come to GP Synergy with recent experience working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) setting and extensive experience working in both Government and non-Government roles in rural and remote locations within NSW. He is a proud Worimi man and is passionate and committed to continue to address the health disparities and disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Val Dahlstrom | Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Val is a Kamilaroi woman from the New England Tablelands of NSW. As GP Synergy’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Val provides advice and support to GP Synergy in its relationship with ACCHSs in ways that are safe and culturally appropriate. Val also works with GP Synergy’s Director of Training in the review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health curriculum as developed and delivered by our medical education team.
Grahame Skinner | Cultural Educator (North Eastern NSW)
Grahame has fantastic knowledge of Aboriginal culture on the North Coast of NSW, particularly within Bundjalung the homelands of his mother’s people, and Gunbayngirr his father’s homeland. As Cultural Educator for North 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. Grahame works directly with key stakeholders in the ACCHS sector including developing and delivering Cultural Awareness and Safety training in Aboriginal health contexts.
Christopher J O’Brien | Cultural Educator (Lower Eastern NSW and ACT)
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. 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.
Wendy Lake | Cultural Educator (Western NSW)
Wendy is an Aboriginal woman descendant from Wakka Wakka peoples of South Eastern Queensland and the Wiradjuri peoples of Western NSW. She grew up in Walgett, in Western NSW and is passionate about culturally appropriate service delivery to Aboriginal peoples. She strives to work towards cultural understanding and competency between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Wendy is an experienced trainer who has designed, delivered and evaluated Cultural Awareness/Cultural Competency training to departmental personnel, foster carers and NGO staff in the past as an employee and consultant.
Walter Dorrington | Education Project Officer (Murrumbidgee & ACT)
Walter joined the GP Synergy Canberra office in July 2018, after working for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for several years in various roles within Indigenous Affairs and the education/VET sector, Walter also comes to GP Synergy with recent experience working for the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation. He is a proud Ngemba man from Bourke in Far Western NSW and is passionate about community development and cheering on the mighty Sydney Swans and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles footy teams.
Vicki Cosgrove | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Administration Officer
Vicki is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Sydney and has worked extensively with Aboriginal Communities across NSW for over twenty years. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from a diverse background of public sector positions and Aboriginal community involvement. Vicki also served for two years on the RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Education Committee as both a community representative and deputy chair. 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.
