The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has awarded its 2025 National Medical Student of the Year to Eiryn Twidale, from Kingaroy in Queensland’s South Burnett region.

The award celebrates exceptional medical students who demonstrate a strong commitment to training in rural and remote locations, leadership in their communities, and a clear pathway towards a career as a Rural Generalist. 

Eiryn, who is completing her studies through Griffith University’s Longlook program, has undertaken extensive rural placements and committed to the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway. She has gained broad clinical experience with Heart of Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Darwin Hospital. 

Beyond her academic achievements, Eiryn co-founded Kingaroy Run Co and Kingaroy Tri Co — grassroots fitness initiatives now engaging more than 80 people each week to promote preventative health and social connection in her community. She also leads rural health education workshops through Hope4Health and Aspire2Health, inspiring the next generation of rural clinicians. 

Her advocacy extends to improving medical training in her hometown, where she successfully campaigned for sustainable intern pathways at Kingaroy Hospital. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin congratulates Eiryn on her achievement. 

“Eiryn embodies the vision, passion, and leadership that define the future of the Rural Generalist profession,” Dr Martin says. 

“She already demonstrates a remarkable ability to make a difference for her community and peers, and her career promises to deliver even more for rural and remote Australia. 

“And, what a time to follow her career dream – when Rural Generalist Medicine has been given a clear pathway following recognition as a specialist field.” 

Eiryn was selected from a high-calibre group of state award winners recognised earlier this year: Heidi Annand (Victoria), Chloe Campbell (New South Wales), Parsa Javadpour (Northern Territory), and Aadhikar Sharma (Western Australia). 

The award was announced at Rural Medicine Australia 2025 (RMA25), co-hosted by ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia in Boorloo (Perth). 

Eiryn also collected the RDAA Medical Student of the Year Award.