AFPHM News - September 2025
As I settle into my role as your President, I want to sincerely thank all of you who sent your best wishes. At the time of my previous message, I could not have predicted the significant issues affecting the RACP Board that have recently evolved.
Firstly, can I assure you that AFPHM Council, our other committees, and I are focused on ensuring that business as usual continues and that our trainees are not affected. Both the RACP President and the CEO have stressed that business as usual in the College proceeds normally.
AFPHM Council met face-to-face on 25 August, and I’ve provided a summary of our meeting below, as I believe transparency is important.
Work continues on finalising and implementing the new curriculum and education governance to better prepare the public health physicians of tomorrow. I sincerely thank those involved, especially Robyn Lucas who is doing an outstanding job in these areas.
I have attended the first meeting of the new College Council, which I believe will strengthen the members' voice in the College and allow our Faculty to have significant input. A College Council Communique following that meeting is attached.
Please read the introductory words below from our President-elect, Anu Anuradha, whose input has already been very beneficial to the Faculty.
Since my last message, we received the sad news that one of AFPHM's founding Fellows, Tony Adams, has passed away. I thank Sue Morey, Greg Stewart, and Rob Hall for providing the tribute below. We send our condolences to his partner Romaine Rutnam, his son, and his wider family.
In future, it would be great to recognise our Fellows and trainees who have excelled, so please provide input for a section in this message.
I am happy to receive any feedback via afphm@racp.edu.au
Dr Tony Gill
AFPHM President
As President-elect, I will be supporting our President, Dr Tony Gill as he leads us through the many challenges of public health medicine. My clinical and public health journey through diverse healthcare systems in three continents so far has helped me gain a greater understanding of the perspectives and practices of people from different backgrounds.
My undergraduate degree was from South India, and I trained and worked initially as an ophthalmologist in the United Kingdom. I was drawn towards the bigger picture whilst doing my Master of Public Health. From leading communicable disease management during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast to navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had the privilege of contributing to public health at both strategic and operational levels. For the last two decades, I have proudly called Queensland home.
Working with the curriculum development and implementation teams to ensure the new curriculum provides trainees with valuable experience that will shape their future career has been a great privilege. As our medical workforce expands in strength and numbers, I am a keen advocate for doctors’ wellbeing and long-term workforce sustainability
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Anthony (Tony) Irvine Adams AM, a Foundation Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM) and Treasurer of the Faculty’s first Council.
Tony’s contribution to public health, in academia and in public service, in Australia and globally, was remarkable. His long career in public health, after graduation from the University of Adelaide in 1959 and completion of a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Harvard in 1961, was dedicated to improving the lives of Australian and world citizens.
The PHAA’s recent tribute to Tony included the following paragraph, which beautifully summarises his commitment and contribution to public health:
After he was conferred the Sidney Sax Medal in 2020, Tony said, “a year ago in Adelaide, Emily Banks told us all that ‘public health is the answer to everything”.
“Well, public health has been a way of life for many of us, and I haven’t regretted a moment spent in a career in public health.”
Tony moved effortlessly from his initial academic position in 1965 as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at the University of Sydney to senior State and Commonwealth government roles, then back again. He was NSW Chief Health Officer (CHO) from 1983 to 1988, then Australian Chief Medical Officer (CMO) from 1988 to 1997. His final post, after retiring as CMO, was as Professor of Public Health at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University.
Tony’s departure from the NSW CHO position in 1988 was contentious. He was summarily terminated by the incoming Liberal Government after being the public face of the previous Labor Government’s Surgical Waiting List Hotline – “politics is simply medicine writ large”. Wisely, the Hawke Labor Government immediately appointed him as CMO. He was Australia’s second and longest serving Chief Medical Officer, and one of only two of the 11 people to occupy that position who had a background in public health.
Notably, in the Commonwealth he continued his close involvement in Australia’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He had been instrumental in leading the necessary public health action after the emergence of HIV/AIDS in NSW in the mid-1980’s, always adopting evidence-based public health programs to counter the moralising and law and order approaches of others.
His contribution to health improvement globally is best demonstrated by his long-term involvement in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) efforts to eliminate polio. He served for 20 years from 1995 on WHO polio eradication peak committees, including 10 years as Chair of the Global Commission for the Certification of the Eradication of Poliomyelitis – the largest public health program in history.
Tony’s greatest achievement outside his official positions was undoubtedly his leading role from the late 1960’s in the creation of the Australian Society for Epidemiology and Research in Community Health (ASERCH), later to become ANZSERCH, then ANZSERCH/APHA and by 1988, the inclusive Public Health Association of Australia. In 1969, he was Secretary of both ASERCH and APHA. Years later he described his role as “midwife” to these organisations. He was made a life member of PHAA in 1995.
Tony was involved in the creation of the Australian Association of Community Physicians, the forerunner of AFPHM, and is listed as attending its first AGM in 1986. His close involvement with the multi-disciplinary PHAA was undoubtedly influential in enabling the creation of AFPHM to proceed much more smoothly than might have been the case, given the Faculty’s focus on training and professional development of public health doctors only. As noted above, Tony served on the first AFPHM Council under the Presidency of Sue Morey.
Among the many qualifications, awards and honours that he received over his career, three stand out:
- Member, Order of Australia (1998) for "service to the community in the field of epidemiology and to the public health, particularly through public health policy development and program delivery".
- Harvard School of Public Health Alumni Award of Merit (2001) for "distinguished service in public health practice" – the only Australia-based graduate to have received this award.
- Sidney Sax Public Health Medal from the PHAA (2020) for “his notable contribution to the protection and promotion of public health, solving public health problems, advancing community awareness of public health measures, and advancing the ideals and practice of equity in the provision of health care”.
Leaving aside all those achievements, Tony was the loveliest man, measured in his approach, generous and wise with his advice, and always willing to assist young public health doctors (like two of the authors of this tribute) with advice about issues and career development.
Vale Tony Adams. Condolences to his partner Romaine Rutnam and his son and wider family.
Greg Stewart, Sue Morey, Robert Hall
Council approved changes to the AFPHM Regional Committee Terms of Reference (ToRs) to allow up to two Regional Education Coordinators representing their regions. The updated ToRs are available here.
RACP President, Professor Jennifer Martin joined the APFHM Council to provide information on the planned RACP Constitutional Reform, including the President/Chair separation and Board Nominations Committee. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the proposed changes. Information can be found here.
In light of the cancellation of RACP Congress, Council discussed potential event opportunities for the Gerry Murphy Prize and the Annual Trainee Day in 2026. Council is awaiting further information on the new events roadmap before a final decision can be made. Members will be notified as soon as an outcome is available.
Council received an update from the Strategy and Transformation team on the College’s Strategy Refresh, which aims to meet future challenges and deliver greater member value through four focus areas: (a) member experience, (b) workforce, workplace, and community, (c) integration and simplification, and (d) designed growth.
Further discussion points included the John McLeod Indigenous Health Scholarship, the new public health medicine curriculum, and the Education Governance Review.
Professor Robyn Lucas – Overseas Trained Physician (OTP) AFPHM interviewer and opportunities for involvement
“I recently nominated to become an OTP interviewer for public health medicine (PHM) and have almost completed the training (I need to be an observer on one more interview). I have really enjoyed the training and would like to encourage others to put their hands up to do this and become part of the pool of AFPHM interviewers that can be drawn on to assess PHM OTPs. The training consists of several online modules covering the regulatory context and the application process as well as the conduct of the interview and the process of coming to a recommendation (to go to the OTP Assessment Subcommittee) on comparability. The latter influences the final determination. The online modules are very well put together and interesting and allow you to do the training bit by bit.”
The OTP process
“Overseas trained physicians are assessed through the RACP for comparability to Australian trained physicians in their specific specialty. The next stage after submitting their application to the RACP is often an interview with two Fellows from the relevant specialty. Following the interview and after reviewing supporting documentation, those Fellows make a recommendation on comparability to one of the OTP assessment committees - AFPHM sits within the Paediatrics and Faculties OTP Assessment Committee. Interviewers are required to undertake a training course that covers the process and the regulatory context as well as the roles and responsibilities of the interviewers and the conduct of the interview.
AFPHM does not receive a lot of OTP interest, but we also have a very limited pool of interviewers (and I think we really want OTPs in PHM to be assessed by Fellows in PHM!). If OTP assessment is something that interests you at all, I encourage you to nominate to complete the training and check it out.”
Email your interest to afphm@racp.edu.au and we can connect you with our OTP team for more information.
New AFPHM Training Curriculum from 2027
The Faculty has developed a new training curriculum for public health medicine, which will be rolled out for incoming first-year trainees on Friday, 1 January 2027. The new competency-based program with refreshed learning goals, assessment tools and criteria for progression through phases of training can be viewed here.
Visit our New Curricula Support Hub for general information.
Information Session on the New Training Curriculum
Want to hear from AFPHM President Dr Tony Gill about the new curriculum – and ask your questions directly?
The Faculty will be holding a Zoom meeting for all AFPHM members and prospective trainees on Thursday, 25 September 2025 from 5pm to 6pm (AEST). Register here.
Can’t make it? The session will be recorded and uploaded to the AFPHM webpage.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the trainee community and discover ways to enhance your training.
From new resources to upcoming events, there's always something to support your growth and development.
Updated Learning Contract Report Form
A new version of the Learning Contract Report is now available for trainees, supervisors, and mentors. It can be accessed via the AFPHM Advanced Trainee Handbook under the Forms and Resources section.
Please note that these documents are updated periodically.
Bi-National Education Program
The Bi-National Education Program series concluded on 28 August. Designed specifically for trainees, these sessions provide valuable learning opportunities.
Missed a session? We have included the April to July sessions below. Click here to log in to Medflix and search for the topic. Keep an eye out for the remaining sessions to be uploaded to Medflix soon.
24 April: Health Promotion - frameworks & concepts by Associate Professor Alyce Wilson
8 May: Epidemiology – basic and advanced concepts by Dr Anthea Katelaris
22 May: Communicable diseases – Immunisation by Dr Anny Huang
5 June: Communicable Diseases – Outbreak Response by Dr Jelena Maticevic
19 June: Public Health Policy by Laura Collie
3 July: Evaluation and Implementation by Dr Sarah Khanlari
For general training enquires, email:
publichealth@racp.edu.au
The RACP continues to advance advocacy on key workforce issues affecting physicians and their patients.
College Submissions and Involvement
New MBS Phone Items
Nine new “subsequent” MBS phone items will be introduced for specialists and consultant physicians, supporting longer and more complex follow-up consultations by telephone, coming into effect on Saturday, 1 November 2025. These items will complement existing short attendance items and align with current face-to-face and video services, increasing flexibility for telehealth and improving equity of access for patients.
- Did you know that you can update your address details online? Simply log in to MyRACP and go to ‘Edit my details'
For any questions, contact membersupport@racp.edu.au
AFPHM contact details
Member enquiries:
Phone: (AUS) 1300 69 7227
Phone: (NZ) 0508 69 7227
Email: memberservices@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Faculty enquiries (including Council and committees):
Julie Adams, Executive Officer
Email: afphm@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Education and Training enquiries:
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6286
Email: publichealth@racp.edu.au
AFPHM Oral Examination enquiries:
Examination Coordinator, Assessment and Selection Unit
Phone: +61 2 9256 9681
Email: faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au
AFPHM training site accreditation inquiries:
Site Accreditation Unit
Phone: +61 2 9256 9674
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au
AFPHM CPD enquiries:
Professional Practice
Phone: +61 2 8247 6285
Email: mycpd@racp.edu.au
Aotearoa New Zealand AFPHM Committee:
Aotearoa New Zealand Office
Phone: +64 4 472 6713
Email: nz_afphm@racp.org.nz