Hi there,

Welcome to the June edition of CheckIN.

Earlier this month CheckUP hosted a National Reconciliation Week QPHCN event. It was a privilege to take part in the roundtable discussion alongside our esteemed panellists. The event focused on the theme All In - a call to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. Thank you to everyone who attended, whether online or in person. Learn more about the event below and view the live stream.

Thanks also to everyone who attended our recent Cairns networking event. It was a great evening and the opportunity allowed us to connect and hear directly from our partners across Far North Queensland. 

During May's Small Business Month many of our teams were busy visiting providers, hosting, speaking at, and attending various events around the state. Others were productively budeting, planning, signing new program contracts, and engaging with stakeholders. See more details below.

To access FREE business advice and support services, learn more about our Industry Workforce Advisors in the article below. 

The Gateway to Health Industry Schools Program - Health team are gearing up for the Health Gateway Forum being held on 21 October in Brisbane. Learn more below and register.

There is still time to complete the ‘Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers’ onilne course – FREE before 30 June. 

Above: Tony de Ambrosis, CheckUP CEO

CheckUP also offers a FREE Disability Friendly Business Basics online course. Sign up to build a more inclusive business. Learn more HERE.

To stay abreast of all our updates and initiatives be sure to connect on our social platforms.

Remember, our members receive great benefits, including free access to QPHCN events, an open invitation to submit articles to this newsletter, and more. Visit our membership benefits web page for more information.

As the financial year draws closer to its end, we thank all our partners and members for their ongoing support and collaboration. 

Best wishes

Tony de Ambrosis
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP

Engaging and insightful National Reconciliations Week QPHCN event

Thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online, for CheckUP’s recent Queensland Primary Health Care Network (QPHCN) event, showcasing National Reconciliation Week, and the theme All In.

We also thank our knowledgeable speakers and roundtable panellists:

• Kieran Chilcott, event MC
• Helena Wright, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Policy and Strategy, QATSICPP
• Mena Waller, Chief Operating Officer, Cancer Council Queensland
• Karen Hale-Robertson, CEO, Open Minds
• Tony de Ambrosis, CEO, CheckUP
• Joseph - Tribal Experiences (Welcome to Country).

Speakers shared passionate insights on the theme, All In - a call to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

View our blog recap HERE, where you can also find a live recording of the event.

Thanks to all who attended our recent Cairns networking event

Thank you to the CheckUP staff, members and stakeholders who attended our recent networking event in Cairns. It was a valuable opportunity to connect and hear directly from our partners across Far North Queensland.

Our Board and Executive also spent two days in Cairns for the annual strategic planning workshop, gaining important insights into local priorities, challenges and opportunities. These conversations play a vital role in shaping our future direction and ensuring our work continues to respond to the needs of regional communities.

FREE Health Provider Disability Awareness training

Complete the Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers online training course for FREE until 30 June. 

The Access for All interactive online course was developed with people with disability, and creates awareness of the barriers they experience when accessing healthcare, and supports a more person-centred, inclusive practice. 

It is an excellent course to gain practical strategies and resources to improve accessibility for people with disability, along with insights into legislative obligations for providing equitable healthcare. 

The course is flexible, self-paced, and CPD eligible for 35+ health professions. 
Complete it for FREE before 30 June. 

"Excellent course - The best I’ve seen on this topic." – Paediatrician

Join us at the Health Gateway Forum

CheckUP’s Health Gateway team is hosting the 2026 Health Gateway Forum on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Forum will bring together schools and industry from across Queensland for a day of connection, collaboration and professional learning. It’s a great opportunity for schools to hear directly from industry, explore career pathways, and for industry to strengthen partnerships that support Queensland’s future health workforce.

The Program is available to view HERE.

Register here: 2026 Health Gateway Forum

Please share this event information with anyone in your network who may benefit.

Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) in Cloncurry

CheckUP's Manager – Cancer Prevention, Mary-Anne Quilter, and Mirabelle Brown, Regional Coordinator - North/North-West/Townsville, recently visited Mount Isa and Cloncurry.

Whilst in Cloncurry they met with Dr Robert Teunisse (right), who was delivering a skin cancer early detection clinic at Clements Medical’s Cloncurry practice.

Dr Teunisse delivers skin clinics in Burketown, Cloncurry, Kurumba and Normanton, thanks to CheckUP's Skin Cancer Early Detection Service.

CheckUP is grateful for his service, along with support from Clinic Practice Manager, Kim Mansfield (left).

Open your doors to more customers and build a stronger community

CheckUP's FREE Disability Friendly Business Basics micro-credentials online course offers practical skills to make business services more inclusive and welcoming.

People with disability, and their friends, family, and colleagues, constitute a significant group of consumers.

To build confidence, expand your customer base, and create a business where everyone feels they belong, complete the FREE course today!

This program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

Listening, Learning and Supporting Workforce Solutions Across Queensland

During Queensland Small Business Month, CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisors travelled across Queensland, engaging with health and community service employers from metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

Common themes included workforce shortages, recruitment and retention challenges, and increasing service demand. These conversations reinforced the importance of place-based workforce solutions, strong partnerships, and practical support tailored to local needs.

Working alongside businesses and communities our team strengthens workforces and creates sustainable employment pathways. 

Get a FREE workforce health check with CheckUP’s Industry Workforce Advisors (IWA).

This program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

Reportable Conduct Scheme Webinar - view recording

CheckUP and the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) recently hosted a free webinar on the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

From 1 July 2026 organisations that deliver services to children with disability will be required to comply with Queensland’s new Reportable Conduct Scheme, which is part of the new Child Safe Organisations law.

Update your knowledge and learn more about the requirements of the Reportable Conduct Scheme via the link below.

Securing the NDIS for future generations

CheckUP’s NDIS Business Connect supports new and existing sole traders and small businesses providing services to people with disability.

Read our blog to learn more about Securing the NDIS for future generations.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of Australia’s most important social reforms. The NDIS needs to be protected for people with permanent and significant disability and for future generations who will rely on it. This timeline outlines the key dates for implementing the Government’s plan to secure the future of the NDIS.

Visit the NDIS Business Connect website.

This program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. 

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of newly diagnosed cancer, and second deadliest in Australia.

June is a time to raise awareness and support for those affected by bowel cancer, plus familiarise yourself with the red flag signs and symptoms. People aged 45 to 74 years should also prioritise getting screened every 2 years.

Bowel Cancer Australia is committed to championing what matters most to people affected by bowel cancer.

This June you can raise much-needed awareness and support for people impacted by bowel cancer, plus empower everyone affected to live their best life.

Book your free flu vaccination

Free flu vaccines are available for Queenslanders aged 6 months and older, until 30 September 2026. 

Free nasal spray flu vaccines are also now available for children aged two to 17 years.

Help stop the spread of the flu. Getting vaccinated provides the best protection, along with practising good hygiene, like washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.

Ask your GP, pharmacist, or vaccine provider about the flu vaccine today!

QMHW Community Event Grants are now open

Queensland Mental Health Week 2026 Community Events Grants Program opens on 15 June 2026, with applications closing 17 July 2026.

The program supports community organisations across Queensland to host local events during Mental Health Week (3 to 11 October 2026) that build connection, wellbeing and mental health awareness.

A total funding pool of $300,000 is available through the Queensland Mental Health Week 2026 Grants Program.

Complete the Pulse Survey

Have you worked or engaged with the Queensland Mental Health Commission in the past year?

The 2026 Pulse Survey is now open and the Commission wants to hear from you!

It’s anonymous, takes only 8 minutes, and helps shape the way the Commission works to support mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention reform in Queensland.

Please complete the survey and share it with others who have been involved too.

Surveys to support those living with chronic pain in Australia 

Chronic Pain Australia (CPA) is calling on clinics, allied health providers, schools and supporting organisations to help them gather information for two important chronic pain surveys. 

The more adults, teenagers, families and carers who participate, the stronger the evidence we have to take to policymakers, and the greater opportunity we have to create change.

The 2026 National Pain Survey and Kids in Pain Survey is now open, and every response helps CPA build the evidence needed to drive real change for better recognition, better funding, and better access to care.

Complete the surveys and help us make pain a National Health Priority for adults and children.

Grant opportunity for Trauma Care in Regional, Rural and Remote Queensland

This Special Research Grants Program aims to empower frontline clinicians in regional, rural and remote Queensland to improve the management of trauma patients — particularly road trauma — through research and evidence-based practice.

It also seeks to identify barriers to optimal care and translate research findings into improvements in clinical practice and health policy.

Applications close: 6 July 2026

Queensland needs skilled professionals like you!

Queensland needs experienced professionals to help train the next generation of skilled workers in trades, health, ICT and more.

If you’re thinking about a career change or returning to the workforce, becoming a TAFE teacher could be the perfect next step.

• Enjoy a positive work-life balance in a supportive environment.
• Use your industry expertise without the physical demands.
• Gain career fulfilment by shaping the next generation of professionals.
• Stay connected to your industry.

And here’s the best part: the Queensland Government is providing the guidance and support to get your teaching journey started. Take the next step in your career and help build Queensland’s future workforce.

This is a Queensland Government election commitment and is part of a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.

New Country to Coast HealthPathways website

Health professionals across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast can now access the new Country to Coast HealthPathways site.

The new HealthPathways platform brings more than 780 localised referral pathways and clinical guidance together in one place, making it easier to find the right pathway faster.

• One streamlined site for trusted local clinical and referral guidance
• Evidence-based pathways and local health service information
• Individual logins for secure, personalised access
• All existing content retained and improved
• New features including AI-assisted search and CPD tracking
• Generic regional logins no longer work. Health professionals will need to create their individual login to continue accessing HealthPathways.

Find out more by visiting the link below.

Darling Downs Health's Geriatric, Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service at Toowoomba celebrates a win

The Geriatric, Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service at Toowoomba recently received its third World Stroke Organization Angels Gold Award.

The service first achieved gold status in 2025. The international accolade recognises the gold-standard stroke care provided at Toowoomba Hospital.

Clinical Director Dr Nisal Gange attributed the award to the hard work of all hospital teams.

“To provide exceptional care like this often relies on collaboration across many departments including emergency, radiology, nursing, allied health, rehabilitation, intensive care, and medical teams.” 

Open Minds Youth Bloom Transition Services

Support for young people in care and beyond.

For young people leaving care, the transition to adulthood can feel overwhelming. Without the right support, it can be hard to build stability, develop skills, or know where to turn.

Open Minds Youth Bloom Transition Services support young people aged 15 to 21 across the Gold Coast and Logan regions to build everyday skills, make better decisions, and work toward independent living.

Through mentoring, practical support, and personalised guidance, our team walks alongside young people to help them set goals and move toward a more stable future. Support is available early, so young people do not have to wait until things become harder to manage.

Available across Gold Coast and Logan.

Help shape rural CPD in 2027 by completing the Education Needs Assessment survey

Health Workforce Queensland’s (HWQ) annual Education Needs Assessment (ENA) Survey is NOW OPEN. Medical practitioners in Queensland are invited to contribute their insights to help shape the 2027 CPD workshop program. 

The CPD workshops are designed specifically for remote and rural doctors and are accredited by RACGP and ACRRM. Their relevance comes directly from practitioner feedback, and this survey is how HWQ ensures their training reflects the real challenges and skills needed on the ground. 

The survey is open until 3 August 2026.

Richmond Fellowship Queensland leader receives Lifetime Achievement Award

CheckUP congratulates Larry Stapleon on his prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the 2026 Leading Reform Summit.

Larry is the Executive Manager Service Development at Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ).

This deserving award reflects decades of unwavering dedication, leadership, advocacy, and commitment to creating meaningful change in the lives of others.

Larry’s impact has rippled across communities, services, and countless individuals who have benefited from his vision and compassion.

Coming of the Light is on 1 July

July 1 recognises Coming of the Light, a day that marks the arrival of the London Missionary Society in the Torres Strait Islands in 1871.

This day holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Torres Strait Islander communities.

We celebrate faith, resilience, culture and community.  

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week runs from 5–12 July 2026. This year's theme is: 50 Years of Deadly, and is a tribute to the people who built this movement. 

NAIDOC Week is held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It creates an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Show your support and plan your own NAIDOC Week event or attend one in your local area.

2026 culturally significant dates calendar

View the CheckUP website for a list of key dates that celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.

Understanding and acknowledging Australia’s shared history is key to achieving reconciliation. Being aware of these dates can offer an opportunity to deepen our understanding and foster connections in our communities.