Our Board

Zak Nichols – Chair

Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)

Zak is a registered physiotherapist currently also completing his final year in a Masters of Clinical Practice. He has ten years of experience in private practice physiotherapy and is currently a clinic manager and lead physiotherapist based in Emerald, Central Queensland, where he has been for the last four years. Zak is passionate about the delivery of modern health services in regional areas, and collaborative approaches amongst health professionals and the wider community to improve health outcomes. Zak is involved in the local community, most notably through involvement with local rugby union.

Andrew Hayward

Adjunct Lecturer at James Cook University (JCU).

Andrew Hayward is the National Rural Manager for the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) Rural Faculty. Andrew has over 10 years’ experience in remote and rural health leadership and program development. Andrew previously held a leadership position with the Rural Workforce Agency, Health Workforce Queensland, where he managed the John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP). Subsequently, Andrew developed the concept for the health student immersion program GROW Rural, which has expanded across Queensland into three regions, as well as managing stakeholder engagement and community development activities Nationally and across Queensland. Andrew joined the RACGP in May 2022 and manages the advocacy, education, and engagement of over 10,000 members. Andrew leads the RACGP rural team to prioritise activities which develop and deliver initiatives to engage members and encourage, improve, and sustain a remote, rural, and regional General Practice workforce throughout Australia.

Andrew has tertiary qualifications in Business Administration (Griffith Uni) and Health Planning and Evaluation (QUT).

Andrew holds Adjunct Lecturer status with James Cook University (JCU).

Dr Ewen McPhee AM

MB.BS. Hons (UQ), FRACGP, FACRRM, AFRACMA, DRANZCOG, GCert Av Med (ECU), Dip P Derm (Cardiff), GAICD. Medical Advisor Office of Rural and Remote Health (Queensland Health), Senior Fellow James Cook Univerity GP Training, Practice Principal

Dr Ewen McPhee has been a Rural GP since completing his Intern Year in 1986 and has been a long-term resident of Emerald Queensland since establishing his own Practice in 1992.

Ewen is a long-standing board member on CQRDGP/CQRH board with over 13 years’ experience. But his experience is not limited to just CQRDGP board. Ewen is also an academic title holder as an Associate Professor with the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (Honorary), a Senior Fellow with James Cook University GP Training and past President of both the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.

Ewen was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) with a mention in the COVID-19 Sub-Register on the Queen’s Birthdays honours list in 2022.

Ewen continues to work timelessly at increasing quality health services in rural areas through his interest in sustainable rural health services and the population health of rural and regional communities.

Jessica Burrey

Bachelor of Pharmacy/ Graduate Certificate in Business

Jessica is a registered Pharmacist and Community Pharmacy owner with over 15 years in the industry. With a Bachelor of Pharmacy and Graduate Certificate in Business, Jessica is an experienced business operator and industry leader in the delivery of innovative pharmacy services, community engagement and pharmacy business operations. Committed to the improvement of rural health outcomes, collaborative health services and the education and empowerment of health professionals, Jessica is a member of the CQ Clinical Council for the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Central Qld PHN and member of the CQ PHN Mental Health and Other Drugs Strategic Collaborative.

Dr Richard Tan

MBBS (Q) DRANZCOG FACRRM

Richard Tan emigrated from Malaysia & completed his senior studies at Ipswich Grammar School before studying medicine at the University of Queensland. He has been a general practitioner in Biloela since 1968, when he opened his own practice. This practice was closed in 2011 when Biloela Medical Centre was established and in 2013 he was awarded an OAM for his 46 years medical service to the Biloela community. In 2017 Richard received the Legend of the Bush award from the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland for his outstanding service. Dr Tan has also received recognition in the form of a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Association. After Fifty years of service to the Biloela Community, Dr Tan has now retired from the VMO position at the hospital. However, he still continues to work in general practice.

Rose Plater

Community, Health and Ageing Manager at Paynters

Rose has extensive experience managing the operational and strategic requirements at an executive level for community service organisations with specialisation in Aged Care and Community Services operations. As a Certified Practicing Accounting with Bachelor qualifications in Health Science and Business, Rose is passionate about supporting community services organisations to enhance client outcomes through innovation and service design having worked with Lutheran Services and Uniting Care across Queensland including with the Central Queensland network. Rose has also worked in Western Australia as a Business Consultant for 2020 Global with a strong practice in Not for Profit and Government Associations. Rose currently works with Paynters, a design and construction company as the Community, Health and Ageing Manager. Rose has three young boys who enjoy playing football across codes, and Rose is a keen soccer player and coach herself.

Margo Purcell

Solicitor, MELG Law

Margo is a Lawyer residing in Emerald and practicing full time in the Central Highlands region since 1998 predominately in the areas of Commercial law, estates and property law with a particular interest in Resource Law and Succession matters. Margo holds a Masters in Environmental Law & Local Government (Macquarie Uni NSW 1998) and is a member of the Queensland Law Society and the Central District Law Association. Margo is also involved in the Anglican Church in Central Queensland and was appointed Chancellor for the Diocese of Rockhampton in 2013 having previously held the role of Deputy Chancellor for the Diocese from 2006 until that appointment. Having grown up in regional Queensland Margo is aware of the importance of services for those who work and reside in rural and remote Queensland and is committed to maintaining services and representation for the communities in those areas.