Community & Business
22 June, 2022
Cooktown doctor named Legend of the Bush
COOKTOWN rural generalist Dr Natasha Coventry has been named the 2022 ‘Legend of the Bush’ by The Rural Doctors Association of Queensland, recognising her commitment to her community and colleagues.
Dr Coventry accepted the award at the association’s Annual David Horn Memorial Awards & Gala, which wrapped up the organisation’s three-day annual conference event held at Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre.
Dr Coventry studied at the University of Queensland, electing to go to Cooktown throughout her undergraduate training, an experience which would critically influence her future career decisions and ultimately lead her to return to Cooktown permanently as a rural generalist – anaesthetist in 2007.
She continues to practice procedural anaesthetics and is involved in building up Cooktown as an educational ‘hub’ for rural generalist registrars and medical students.
She also led the medical team to be the second site in Australia to successfully restore birthing services after closure.
Dr Coventry was quick to thank others in the room for inspiring and supporting her throughout her career upon accepting the award.
“I really do feel very humbled to accept this award,” she said on the night.
“It is such a privilege to work in a rural community, that’s where we get our energy from – the people who we look after.
“And I do hope that, in my own head, I will still live up to this in 20 years from now when I’m feeling ready to be a legend.”
RDAQ President Dr Matt Masel said Dr Coventry was known within the rural doctor family for her persistence, passion, and dedication.
“Tash is a shining example of how experience in rural medicine early on, can not only shape a career but generate a passion and affinity for being a doctor living and working in the bush,” Dr Masel said.
“She has definitely earned legend status and her humble acceptance speech is just another example as to why she is held in such high regard within the rural doctor community,” he said.
