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.
On 11 August 1993, the National Rural Health Alliance became an Incorporated Association.
And the rest is interesting history.
The Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary on 10 September 2018. Read Tom Calma’s Dinner Address on the occasion. Thank you to HESTA for supporting this important celebration.
Here’s a 25 year short history of the Alliance.
On 19 August 2023, the Alliance celebrated its 30th anniversary. Click here to read the media release distributed on the occasion of the 30th anniversary in 2023.
