General News
12 March, 2025
Julia Creek back on the hunt for a permanent GP
McKinlay Shire will be without a permanent GP if a replacement can't be found for Adam Louws.
A vacant job listing that made national headlines a few years ago could soon be dusted off again after Julia Creek’s permanent GP announced he was returning to Brisbane.
Adam Louws famously took the much-publicised position in 2023 – and has loved living and working in the Outback – but is now heading back to the capital city for family reasons.
“There was a lot of discussion at home, there was a lot of prayer ... like, is this what we’re supposed to be doing? Is this the right time? And we just sort of came to the conclusion that we think we need to head back to Brisbane,” Dr Louws told North West Weekly.
“The kids are getting older and one thing that happens here is after Grade 6, most students go off to boarding schools.
“If all the kids that my kids know are going to boarding school then they’re not going to have any friends in town.”
McKinlay Shire mayor Janene Fegan said that while she was devastated when informed that Dr Louws was leaving, she understood that he had fulfilled his two-year commitment.
“He said he would definitely give us the two years, so we’re sort of a little bit prepared in that sense, but happy for the time that we’ve had,” she said.
Because McKinlay Shire went for so long without a permanent GP in the hospital, the council had to partner with the North West Hospital and Health Service to bolster the position, giving up a house to incentivise a move to Julia Creek.
That offer is still on the table and, according to Seek, the remuneration package for the senior medical officer role in Julia Creek is worth between $476,082 and $680,277 on an annual basis.
“Our previous campaign was only two years ago so we’re hoping that things are still fresh in people’s mind,” Cr Fegan said.
“At this stage the North West Hospital and Health Service will just do their standard advertising and then if they don’t get enough responses then we’re keen to be involved and make sure that the town is advertised rather than the job, because I think you’ve got to advertise the location and the lifestyle.”
Dr Louws said the GP role at Julia Creek was almost like stepping back in time.
“It’s the kind of job that medicine used to be,” he said.
“Fifty years ago, your family doctor would have delivered your baby and taken out appendices. Medicine is so heavily specialised now and everyone has their own silos.
“Working here was satisfying in that it put all of my knowledge to the test.”
Dr Louws said he had many fond memories of Julia Creek and would recommend the position to anyone who enquired.
“The people are wonderful and I have absolutely loved working with the people of this town,” he said.
“There are some phenomenal staff members here at the hospital and GP clinic that are just great to work with.”
Highlights included milking cows for the first time and competing in the Dirt n Dust.
“One of the best memories will be performing The Last Post at Anzac Day services,” Dr Louws said of dusting off his trumpet each April.
“That was pretty special.”
