Speakers
RMA25 assembles Australia’s leading rural healthcare experts, innovators, and change-makers to share their frontline experiences and insights.
Through plenary presentations and dynamic discussions, you will learn from experienced rural practitioners and leaders, gaining practical knowledge to enhance your medical career in rural and remote communities.
Keynote speakers
In order of appearance in the program.

Dr Simon Quilty
Simon, after a day of mud-brick making in Tennant Creek
Wilya Janta
Thursday 23 October
Dr Simon Quilty
After decades treating the downstream effects of poverty and heat in remote NT clinics, Simon came to a blazing realisation: it’s not just the patient, it’s the home. This epiphany for Simon and his best mate Norman Frank Jupurrurla sparked Wilya Janta, a housing innovation project rooted in Aboriginal knowledge, community design, and the unshakable belief that health begins with culturally safe, climate-proof homes.
A long-time NT remote doctor with a background in engineering and health policy, Simon now splits his time between writing grants, wrangling funding bodies, and championing a future where doctors don’t just treat illness—they help build the damn houses.
At RMA '25, he’ll be explaining Doctors for Bricks and how RDAA helped kick it off, a rogue movement to rally the medical profession around housing justice. When he’s not founding campaigns or fixing the spacebar on hislaptop, you’ll find Simon listening to Warumungu Elders, writing papers about heat and mortality, or chasing a mud brick machine through the desert.

Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes AM
Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project
Thursday 23 October
Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes AM
Dr Jeffries-Stokes AM is a Paediatrician who has been working in clinical practice and research in the Goldfields of Western Australia for more than 30 years. She has been working with the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia since it began. She has a PhD and a Masters in Public Health. She is Chief Investigator for the Western Desert Kidney Health Project, which has demonstrated new and innovative methods of community engagement. She has a strong record of collaborative research with the Aboriginal community and has established strong community networks. In 2024 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia.

Annette Stokes AM
Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project
Thursday 23 October
Annette Stokes AM
Annette is a senior Wongutha and Ngadju woman of the Goldfields. Her father’s people are from the northern Goldfield and her mother’s people are from the southern Goldfield which made it easy for her to be able to go freely across the Goldfield. She spent Her early life around the Goldfields with her family, learning the language and culture of her people. She has a background in early childhood education and completed Aboriginal health worker training. She have been involved in several major health and research projects in the Goldfields region and her contribution to medicine was recognised in 2005 when she was awarded the Fiona Stanley medal and in 2017 when she was made a Member of the Order of Australia. In 2024 Annette was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Western Australia. Annette has combined all her amazing talents as a chief investigator for the Western Desert Kidney Health Project and the Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project.
Grace Brown OAM
Olympic Champion
Saturday 25 October
Grace Brown
Grace Brown, born in Camperdown, Victoria, is a distinguished Australian road cyclist renowned for her prowess in time trials and road races. Grace was initially involved in cross-country and middle-to-long-distance running, but after facing one too many injuries she transitioned to cycling in 2015, quickly ascending the ranks of the sport.
In 2018, Grace's talent was recognised when she received the Amy Gillett Cycling Scholarship, leading to her professional debut with the British UCI team, Wiggle High5. She later joined Mitchelton-Scott before signing with the French Women's WorldTeam, FDJ-Suez at the beginning of 2022.
Grace's career is highlighted by significant achievements - some notable mentions are;
- Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the women's road time trial.
- Victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes in 2024
- Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Gold at the 2024 World Championships in the Time Trial
Grace's Olympic triumph was particularly poignant, as she had narrowly missed a podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, placing fourth in the time trial. Her relentless determination and resilience culminated in her gold medal performance in Paris, where she dominated the 32.4km course, finishing 91 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
Post-Olympics, Grace went on to win the Individual Time Trial at the 2024 Road Cycling World Championships, becoming the first male or female to win Olympic Gold and the World Championships in the same year.
In June 2024, Grace announced her intention to retire from professional cycling at the end of the season, expressing a desire to return to her life in Australia. Her career stands as a testament to her dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent, inspiring athletes worldwide.
Professor Jenny May AM
National Rural Health Commissioner
Saturday 25 October
Professor Jenny May AM
Professor Jenny May AM has been passionate about rural health since her first rural medical student placement in 1980 and then as a trainee rural doctor at Tamworth Hospital in 1985.
Professor May’s vast and extensive knowledge working across Australia and internationally has provided multiple opportunities to contribute through research on health workforce matters. She now calls Tamworth home and has had the incredible privilege to live and work with her doctor husband and family in a number of remote and regional locations.
Professor May holds fellowships with RACGP and ACRRM and has extensive experience in clinical practice, research, education and rural health advocacy. In 2016 she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health in rural and regional areas, as a general practitioner, member of professional medical groups, and as an educator.
With over 35 years of working and supporting rural, regional and remote health care, her appointment as the third National Rural Health Commissioner has been widely welcomed.
Akram Azimi
Advocate for Social Justice and Reconciliation
Saturday 25 October
Akram Azimi
Akram Azimi was born in war-torn Afghanistan. With no choice, and only the clothes on their back, Akram and his family fled, leaving everything behind.
Fortunately, Akram’s family won something of a global lottery: they received a visa to Australia in 1999. With the help of his amazing high school teachers, Akram Azimi overcame his disadvantaged background and became his school’s top academic student and was elected head boy.
At university, he studied law (hons), science and sociology (hons) and is currently doing his PhD.
Since 2007, Akram Azimi has taught law, human anatomy, neurobiology, sociology, epistemology, community service, and writing at three universities and two high schools.
Akram is Co-founder and director of I Am the Other (reconciliation). For more than seven years and has been a mentor of True Blue Dreaming, a rural and remote educational program.
As an End of Polio ambassador, Rotarian and grassroots advocate, Akram contributed to the government’s funding commitment of $80 million for polio eradication in 2013, and another $20 million in 2014.
For his community service and mentoring work, Akram Azimi was named 2013 Young Australian of the Year.
Overall, Akram Azimi has formally taught for 2000+ hours and mentored young people pro bono for 3000+ hours.
Akram has published articles in Australian newspapers and policy magazines, covering a wide variety of social issues from extreme poverty, polio, philanthropy and reconciliation.
Akram was announced as Australia's Commonwealth National Youth Delegate (2015 - 2017).
Akram Azimi has continued to make significant contributions as a speaker, educator, and advocate for social justice and reconciliation. His work has expanded across various domains, including education, community engagement, and public speaking.