25 years of the National Rural Health Alliance
Early years of the rural health sector
The beginnings of the National Rural Health Alliance can be traced back to a 1976 report from the Hospitals and Health Services Commission. That report included, at page 2, the following:
"Many country people find it difficult to obtain adequate health care. There is a shortage of doctors, dentists and other health personnel, and difficulties in maintaining health facilities in many districts… even where an adequate range of services is available, access may be impeded by lack of public transport or poor roads…”
In June 1990 the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) established a Rural Health Task Force. In 1991 the 1st National Rural Health Conference was held in Toowoomba, Queensland.
25 years ago on 11 August 1993 the National Rural Health Alliance became an Incorporated Association.
And the rest is interesting history.
We hope you enjoy this short history of the Alliance: 25 years of the National Rural Health Alliance.
25 Year Celebrations
Cutting the cake by Tom Calma and Sharon Brugza.
The Alliance celebrated its 25 years of incorporation at its annual dinner in Canberra on Monday, 10 September 2018
Read Tom Calma's Dinner Address.
Thank you to HESTA for supporting this important celebration.