19-20 JUNE 2026

WAGGA WAGGA

9.5 CPD HOURS

19-20 JUNE 2026 • WAGGA WAGGA • 9.5 CPD HOURS •

ABOUT‍ ‍KEYNOTES‍ ‍COCKTAIL EVENING‍ ‍PROGRAM‍ ‍SPEAKERS

BidgeeCon is a 1.5 day conference focused on strengthening and future-proofing general practice.

Designed for GPs, registrars, practice managers, practice nurses and allied health professionals, BidgeeCon brings together practical clinical learning, hands-on workshops, expert presentations and space to connect with colleagues from across the Murrumbidgee region.

✓ Hands-on clinical workshops
✓ Practical skills sessions
✓ Expert-led presentations

REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

Meet our keynote speakers

College led GP training, where it’s at, where it’s headed and what it means for rural general practices on the ground.

A/Prof Michael Clements

Chair, RACGP Rural Council and Townsville based General Practitioner and practice owner

Scope of practice reform and the opportunities for rural health workforces.

Prof Mark Cormack

Professor Health System Policy, Australian National University (ANU) College of Health and Medicine

Shared medical appointments and how they can support team-based care.

A/Prof John Stevens

Co-founder and Director, Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine

Using multidisciplinary teams to improve access, continuity and financial sustainability.

Mario Gupta

Primary care consultant with deep general practice experience across business, workforce and service reform.

Relaxed cocktail evening

Catch up with colleagues

Informal networking

Magic, laughs and surprises

Relaxed cocktail evening • Catch up with colleagues • Informal networking • Magic, laughs and surprises •

BidgeeCon Cocktail Evening

Friday 19 June 2026, 6.00–8.30pm
The Gardens Function Centre,
Botanic Gardens, 43 Tom Wood Drive, Wagga Wagga

Unwind after the day’s sessions and join us for a relaxed cocktail evening designed for connection, conversation and a bit of surprise.

Enjoy great company, drinks and light catering while being entertained by Jay Cristo, magician and mentalist. Expect moments of astonishment, genuine laughs and those “how did that just happen?” experiences that will have you talking well after the night ends.

Tickets are limited. Partners are very welcome. Just remember to purchase a ticket for them as well!

Check out the full program

The program is designed to help general practice teams build practical skills, strengthen their workforce and adapt to a changing health system, while connecting with colleagues from across the region.

Friday 19 June 2026

11.30am–4.30pm

11.30am

Registration and light lunch

12.30pm

Welcome and introduction

12.45pm

Breakout sessions, choose one:

Dental emergencies that may present in general practice

Dr Josh Dunn
Dentist, Shumack Dental

Wound care

Ray Godbier
Clinical Nurse Consultant, MLHD

CPR

Greg Higgins
Higgins Training Solutions

Please note: CPR is a 1.5-hour practical session and continues across the 12.45pm and 1.45pm blocks.

1.45pm

Breakout sessions, choose one:

Prehospital approach to asthma, trauma, anaphylaxis and epilepsy

Dr Matthew Simpson
Paramedic Specialist, NSW Ambulance

Wound care

Ray Godbier
Clinical Nurse Consultant, MLHD

CPR

Cont.

2.45pm

Afternoon tea

3.00pm

Breakout sessions, choose one:

Prehospital approach to asthma, trauma, anaphylaxis and epilepsy

Dr Matthew Simpson
Paramedic Specialist, NSW Ambulance

ECG interpretation

A/Prof Michael McCready
Cardiologist, Riverina Cardiology

CPR

Greg Higgins
Higgins Training Solutions

Please note: CPR is a 1.5-hour practical session and continues until 4.30pm.

4.00pm

Closing address

Saturday 20 June 2026

7.45am–4.30pm

7.45am

Registration

8.30am

Welcome address and Welcome to Country

Aunty Mary Atkinson, Wiradjuri and Bangerang Elder

9.00am

College led GP training – where it’s at, where it’s headed and what it means for rural general practices on the ground

Associate Professor Michael Clements, Chair, RACGP Rural Council

9.30am

Shared medical appointments

Associate Professor John Stevens, Registered Nurse and Associate Professor, Southern Cross University

11.00am

Morning tea, expo stalls

11.15am

Breakout sessions, choose one:

NSW ADHD reforms

Dr Sarah Khanlari
Medical Advisor, Ministry of Health

Dr Ramya Raman
GP and RACGP Vice President

Dementia: background, diagnosis, treatment, and cognitive screening tests

Dr Michael O’Brien
Geriatrician and General Medicine Physician, NSW Health

Management of eating disorders

Angela Farrell
Psychologist, MLHD

Sally Corry
Primary Health Lead, Inside Out GP Hub

12.00pm

Breakout sessions, choose one:

The management of diabetes in pregnancy in 2026

Dr Bridget Cooper
Endocrinologist, Riverina Diabetes & Endocrinology

Build your own nurse-led clinic: A hands-on masterclass for practice nurses

Elise Penton
Registered Nurse, St George Family Medical Centre

Rebecca Manski
Nurse Practitioner and Practice Manager, Tumut Family Medical Centre

Endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic

Dr Trudi Beck
GP Obstetrician, Nova Health Co

12.45pm

Lunch, expo stalls

1.15pm

Unleashing the potential for our health workforce: Scope of practice review

Professor Mark Cormack, Professor Health System Policy, Australian National University

1.45pm

Panel discussion

Facilitated by A/Prof Alam Yoosuff, featuring keynote speakers and local health professionals

2.30pm

Breakout sessions, choose one:

Artificial intelligence and privacy compliance in practice

Aston Chee
Special Counsel, Avant Law

Charlotte Boston
Associate, Avant Law

 

New referral pathways for MLHD CCIS

Nicole Logan
Community Care Intake Service Nurse Unit Manager, MLHD

Tina Curry
Out of Hospital Care Coordinator, MLHD

Annie Skipworth
VAD Care Navigator, MLHD

Dr Maggie-Kate Minogue
General Practitioner and VAD team member

3.15pm

Afternoon tea and expo stalls

3.30pm

Using an MDT approach: Working at top of scope to support revenue integrity, continuity and access in rural general practice

Mario Gupta, Senior Consultant, Larter Consulting

4.20pm

Final address

A/Prof Alam Yoosuff, GP and Chair, MPHN Board

Meet more of our speakers

Dr Joshua Dunn

Dr Joshua Dunn is a Wagga local and dentist at Shumack Dental. Since graduating from Charles Sturt University in 2018, he has worked across NSW Health, Charles Sturt University and private practice in Wagga.

Elise Penton

Elise Penton is a registered practice nurse with a passion for innovation, lifestyle medicine and helping nurses work at top of scope. She is actively involved in nurse-led clinics, shared medical appointments and regional workforce development to improve chronic disease care and patient outcomes.

Annie Skipworth

Annie Skipworth is a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator with MLHD. With a background in intensive care and a Master of Nursing, she supports patients, families and healthcare professionals through the VAD process.

Dr Bridget Cooper

Dr Bridget Cooper is an endocrinologist committed to improving health outcomes in regional and rural communities. Originally from Wagga Wagga, she returned to the region to establish Riverina Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2025 and also holds appointments across Wagga Wagga, Calvary Riverina and Canberra hospitals.

Rebecca Manski

Rebecca Manski is a Nurse Practitioner and Practice Manager at Tumut Family Medical Centre. Her work focuses on preventative health, nurse-led models of care and improving access to high-quality primary care in regional and rural communities.

Dr Maggie-Kate Minogue

Dr Maggie-Kate Minogue is a GP at Gundagai Medical Centre and a member of the Voluntary Assisted Dying team. She has worked across Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin and Gundagai, with special interests in palliative care, chronic disease management and diabetes.

Sally Corry

Sally Corry is Primary Health Lead at InsideOut, with more than 25 years’ experience across medical administration, management, leadership, primary care and youth mental health. She leads initiatives including the Upskilling program and InsideOut GP HUB, bringing a creative and systems-focused approach to improving eating disorder care.

Nicole Logan

Nicole Logan is the Community Care Intake Service Nurse Unit Manager with MLHD and has more than 26 years’ nursing experience across acute, aged care, emergency, community and general practice settings. She leads a multidisciplinary team supporting timely referral management and access to community-based services.

Angela Farrell

Angela Farrell is a registered psychologist, MLHD Eating Disorder Coordinator and District Clinical Leader. She has more than 25 years’ experience supporting people with eating disorders and works to develop local pathways and improve equitable access to care for rural and remote communities.

Tina Curry

Tina Curry is the Out of Hospital Care Coordinator and has worked as a registered nurse for 26 years, including 18 years in community health. Her work focuses on discharge planning, hospital avoidance and supporting people to receive person-centred care at home.

Dr Trudi Beck

Dr Beck is a GP Obstetrician & Lactation Consultant with a keen interest in multidisciplinary healthcare. Trudi is a Director of Nova Health Co, a Wagga based general practice specialising in all aspects of women's health.  

Dr Rachel James

Dr James is a Deniliquin‑based Rural Generalist Obstetrician. She works across general practice, hospital inpatient care and maternity services, and is actively involved in clinical leadership, training and workforce development.

A/Prof Michael McCready

A/Prof McCready is a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales and a principal in Riverina Cardiology and provides specialist cardiac and general medical services to a diverse patient base within the practice.

Aston Chee

Aston is a corporate and commercial lawyer based in Sydney. She advises across structuring, due diligence, acquisitions, equity arrangements, shareholder matters and risk, with particular experience across the medical, allied health, real estate, fitness and retail sectors.

Dr Sarah Khanlari 

Dr Khanlari is a public health physician, currently working as the Medical Advisor to the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer, NSW Ministry of Health.   

Dr Ramya Raman 

Ramya is a specialist General Practitioner with a passion for family medicine, women's and children's health. Originally from Country NSW, Ramya settled in WA and graduated from the School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle. Dr Raman is the Vice President for the RACGP, and RACGP WA Chair. 

Thanks to our sponsors

BidgeeCon Accommodation Partners

Mention BidgeeCon when booking with the following accommodation providers to access a special event rate.

Townhouse Hotel Wagga

Standard - $185
Deluxe - $205
Executive Suites - $225

These rates include breakfast and free access to the Wagga Leisure center across the road. 

https://townhousewagga.com/

To access the special rate, please email joe@townhousewagga.com