About the event
We returned to the spiritual home of rural generalism on 2-3 October 2025 to celebrate 20 years since the Roma Agreement.
Over 180 delegates joined us to reflect on, and celebrate, how far we’ve come since 2005 and to discuss and frame the future of rural generalism. Rural generalists, registrars, trainees, rural medical leaders, system leaders, community members and rural health advocates from Queensland and interstate were represented.
Nine key principles were agreed to at the forum with further consultation undertaken with key stakeholders to refine the 2025 Roma Rural Generalist Charter. The Charter summarises opportunities to support the future strategic development of rural generalism. It is intended to guide and support development in Queensland and be a resource for national developments.
The Charter principles incorporate pre-forum stakeholder engagement insights, 80 survey responses from across Australia, and the views of the 180 attendees at the forum, collectively capturing perspectives from rural generalist training providers and employers, rural health sector leaders, current and future rural generalists, and state and national training and workforce leaders.
A working group has been established to advance the Charter, comprising representatives of the collaborating organisations listed within it. Members will meet in early 2026 to progress actions aligned to the Charter’s principles.
Resources
Forum artwork
We are proud to share the final artwork by Susie Klein inspired by the passion of the forum. It captures an aerial view of the land and riverways around Roma, as well as the essence of the room and the discussions that took place. Thank you to our delegates who contributed by getting their hands and feet into the paint!
The artwork will be embedded into the final Charter.
About the artist
Susie Klein is an accomplished First Nations artist in Roma, South West Queensland and is a proud a Jaularoi [pronounced ‘joo-la-roy’] woman born on Mandandanji [pronounced ‘man-dan-dan-gee’] traditional lands to which she whole-heartedly pays respect to. She is a Roma local, proud wife, mum, and grandmother who loves art in all its forms.
Susie has a passion for education and holds a Bachelor of Education, multiple diplomas in counselling, community services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, and has a passion for engaging communities creatively. Susie nurtures her creativity to inspire others and uses a range of artistry forms.
