Clinicians, community leaders and multidisciplinary teams gathered at Alice Springs’ Desert Knowledge Precinct on 9–10 April 2026 for the Northern Australian Regional Paediatrics Meeting.

Collaboration was the heartbeat of the event. Across specialties from developmental and adolescent health to acute care and childhood illness, attendees united around a single goal: better outcomes for children across the region.

Conversations went beyond the clinical. Social determinants of health took centre stage, with delegates exploring how addressing the broader conditions of children’s lives is just as vital as treating illness. Justice for young people was equally prominent, with frank discussion about rising youth incarceration rates and the community-based alternatives that offer safer, more hopeful pathways.

Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill brought a powerful local voice, sharing a forward-looking vision for youth infrastructure and the kind of environments where young people can genuinely thrive in Central Australia.

Stories from across Northern Australia highlighted both the challenges and rewards of working in these regions. Many attendees had trained or worked at Alice Springs Hospital and spoke of their enduring connection to the community and their love for working in Alice Springs.

Dr Penny Stewart, Director of the NT Regional Training Hub, attended and presented, adding valuable insight to the program. A heartfelt thank you to all presenters and a special acknowledgement to Dr James Dowler, Consultant Paediatrician at Central Australian Health Services, for bringing it all together so seamlessly.