qualifications: FAAP, FACEP, FRACP
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript
position: Executive General Manager Medical and Retrieval Services RFDS, Associate Professor Charles Darwin University
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data
position: Executive Director Medical Services
qualifications: PhD
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data
position: Director National RFDS COVID-19 Response
Dr Fergus Gardiner, is a health executive with experience in military, emergency, and public health leadership. Fergus has been led the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) national COVID-19 response. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fergus led many public health teams throughout Australia, including during the 2019/20 bushfire season. This has included investigating disease trends and outbreaks, and the establishment of clinical interventions. His role at the RFDS also includes being a media spokesperson, about clinical findings, trends, and national emergency situations. Fergus also oversees the RFDS Public Health and Research Unit (PHRU), which supports service delivery by coordinating national public health response measures; conducting research; producing research and policy papers; and participating in research projects aimed at improving outcomes for people in the bush.
contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data
position: General Manager Pandemic Response
qualifications: BSc (Hons)
contribution: Acquisition of data
position: Operations Manager
qualifications: FRACP
contribution: Acquisition of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Senior Lecturer and PhD Candidate
Remote specialist physician with research interest in climate, heat and health.
Mental health discussions among rural residents
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Oro-facial injuries in rural and metropolitan Queensland, Australia
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Job advertisements for remote and rural posts
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10th Rural & Remote Health Scientific Symposium, 8 & 9 October 2025, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
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Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025, 20–21 October 2025, Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia
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2025 Health Leadership Congress, 22–24 October 2025, Darwin, Australia
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Rural Medicine Australia Conference (RMA25), 22–25 October 2025, Boorloo (Perth), Australia
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Rural Mental Health Conference 2025 (RMHC25), 5–7 November 2025, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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OECD Latin American Rural Development Conference, 25–28 November 2025, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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SARGA 2026, Rural Generalist Anaesthetist Conference, 12–14 February 2026, Barossa Valley, South Australia
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21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10–13 April 2026, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
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33rd Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Conference, 16–18 April 2026, Quebec City, Canada
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4th EURACT Medical Education Conference, 23–25 April 2026, Iasi, Romania
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11th Health Promotion Conference, 10–12 June 2026, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Harstad, Norway
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9th WONCA Africa Region Conference 2026, 10 & 11 September 2026, Gaborone, Botswana
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18th National Rural Health Conference, 14–17 September 2026, Adelaide, SA, Australia
World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference 2026, 17–19 September 2026, Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), New Zealand
web link