Underground Emergencies, Mine Rescue and High-Stakes Medicine

Junior Doctors Conference Showcases Mackay's Unique Training Opportunities

A simulated underground mine emergency might not be what most junior doctors expect when they attend a medical conference.

But that is exactly the kind of experience awaiting participants at the 2026 Junior Doctors Conference in Mackay, where medicine will meet one of Australia's most important industries in a hands-on training exercise unlike anything available in a metropolitan setting.

Held at the Mantra Mackay on July 25 and 26, the conference will bring together junior doctors, medical students and senior clinicians from across Queensland to explore career pathways in regional medicine while experiencing firsthand the unique clinical opportunities available in Mackay and the wider region.

The centrepiece of the weekend will be an immersive emergency medicine simulation program that transports participants into the high-pressure world of mine site medicine and rescue operations.

A Medical Simulation Like No Other

Delivered through a collaboration between the Mackay Hospital and Health Service Clinical Training Team, Queensland Mines Rescue Service, NQRTH and the Australian Medical Association Queensland, the exercise represents a significant investment of expertise, resources and time by some of the state's leading emergency response organisations.

Participants will step into realistic emergency scenarios inspired by the challenges faced by clinicians and rescue teams working in remote and high-risk environments.

Rather than learning from lectures alone, attendees will be immersed in situations that demand rapid decision-making, teamwork, leadership and clinical judgement under pressure.

The experience has been designed to expose early-career doctors to a side of medicine that few encounter during traditional training.

The Sunday half day simulation program will be held at Mackay's Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) Underground Mine Simulator Facility, a world-class training and testing hub unlike anything else in Australia.

Spanning more than 6,800 square metres, the facility replicates the physical conditions, challenges and operating environments of real underground mines, creating an authentic setting for emergency response training and giving participants a rare opportunity to test their skills in a highly realistic environment.

From major trauma and emergency retrieval medicine to multi-agency responses involving specialised rescue teams, the scenarios will highlight the diverse and often complex clinical environments that exist beyond major city hospitals.

Why Mackay Is Different

It is also a powerful demonstration of why Mackay has become an increasingly attractive destination for medical training.

Known as the gateway to the Whitsundays and one of Queensland's major regional centres, Mackay offers junior doctors’ exposure to a remarkable breadth of clinical experiences.

The region's strong links to mining, heavy industry, rural communities and emergency retrieval services create opportunities that simply do not exist in many metropolitan training environments.

Conference organisers say the simulation program reflects the reality of practising medicine in regional Queensland, where doctors are often required to think broadly, adapt quickly and work closely with multidisciplinary teams.

A Statewide Effort to Inspire Future Doctors

The involvement of organisations such as Queensland Mines Rescue Service also highlights the commitment of industry and healthcare partners to supporting the next generation of medical professionals.

The scale of the exercise is significant, with specialist equipment, rescue personnel, simulation technology and experienced clinicians all contributing to create an authentic learning environment.

It is a level of collaboration rarely seen in junior doctor education and demonstrates the value regional communities place on developing future healthcare leaders.

From the Mine Site to the Space Industry

The conference will also offer a glimpse into another emerging frontier for regional medicine and research through an exclusive experience hosted by Associate Professor Eamon Raith.

A small group of delegates will have the opportunity to visit the Bowen Orbital Spaceport operated by Gilmour Space Technologies, one of Australia's most ambitious space projects.

While limited to just a handful of participants, the experience highlights the innovative thinking underpinning the conference and the growing links between regional Queensland, advanced industries and healthcare.

The visit will explore how concepts such as remote medicine, fatigue management, emergency response and human performance in extreme environments can influence future healthcare delivery, research and training in regional Australia.

Organisers say the session demonstrates the unique opportunities available in the Mackay region, where medicine increasingly intersects with industries such as mining, aviation, resources and the emerging space sector.

It is another example of how regional Queensland is creating opportunities for doctors to develop skills and experiences that extend well beyond the traditional hospital setting.

 More Than a Conference

Beyond the immersive simulation experiences, delegates will hear from leading clinicians, connect with peers from across Queensland and explore career pathways available in regional medicine through keynote presentations, networking opportunities and professional development sessions.

The conference has been designed to showcase not only the clinical opportunities available in Mackay, but also the lifestyle, mentoring and career development pathways that continue to attract doctors to regional Queensland.

From underground mine rescue simulations to emerging conversations around space medicine and healthcare innovation, the weekend highlights the breadth of experiences available to doctors training outside metropolitan centres.

For medical students and junior doctors considering their next career move, the 2026 Junior Doctors Conference offers a unique opportunity to experience firsthand why Mackay is becoming one of Queensland's most exciting destinations for medical training, research and professional growth.

The 2026 Junior Doctors Conference will be held in Mackay on July 25 and 26. Registrations close on Wednesday, July 15, with places limited.

The AMAQ event is made possible thanks to sponsors Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council and PHN Northern Queensland, and is supported by NQRTH and local partners, including the Mackay Hospital and Health Service.
Sign up for and find out more here: https://amaq.com.au/Web/Web/Events/Event_registration.aspx?EventKey=QLD260725A