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.
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)
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 from Macquarie University and a Diploma in Aboriginal Studies from the University of Newcastle. 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 and Murrumbidgee & ACT)
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.
Walter Dorrington | Education Project Officer, Cultural Educator (North Coast and New England)
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.
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.
