After extensive planning and with enormous community and stakeholder support, we were excited to have our Clinical Training Facility in Charleville officially opened on November 19.

The Federal Member for Maranoa and Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud MP officiated at the event, describing the centre as world class and a profound example of what regional and rural communities can achieve. Minister Littleproud toured the Commonwealth funded $3 million facility with National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart and was impressed with the state-of-the- art technology within the clinical simulation rooms, telehealth studios, video conferencing facilities, consultation rooms and other training resources.

The Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communication and Local Government Mark Coulton, who was unable to attend in person, sent a prerecorded speech congratulating the SQRH Director Associate Professor Geoff Argus and team members on bringing the building project to fruition. It was wonderful to have our valued stakeholders present, in-person and online, to celebrate this significant milestone for SQRH and our consortium member representatives, Professor Bruce Abernethy, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Behavourial Sciences, The University of Queensland Professor Glen Coleman, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Annette Scott, Executive Director Allied Health, Darling Downs Health and Matt Boyd, Health Service Chief Executive, South West Hospital and Health Service and Independent Advisory Board Chair Derek Tuffield OAM.

Since the inception of SQRH we have worked with local traditional owners to ensure we create a culturally safe learning space and we were pleased that Bidjara Elder Keelen Mailman could play an integral role at the opening ceremony. Keelen, who gave a Welcome to Country in language and conducted a smoking ceremony, provided an official naming of the yarning circle and outdoor education area - Nulkamony (talking), Bindina (sitting).

The facility, situated on the grounds of the Charleville Hospital, will become an important training hub for the future generation of rural health professionals. We are extremely thankful to construction company McNab, project manager Gripfast and architects Struxi for a smooth construction period and all of the local contactors from the South West region who worked hard to ensure the construction.