Dr David Walker

David grew up in Cooroy in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. His mother is a country doctor and his father was a country policeman. David always wanted to be a doctor and eventually got there, via a brief stint as a chef and despite his mum making him see a counsellor to check the logic behind his decision making.

David spent most of his junior doctor years in Cairns before moving to Longreach, Queensland, where he has been for the last eight years.

David’s interest in mental health initially starting accidentally during his GP training. He found that he was seeing more patients with mental illness than his peers and as a result he decided to spend eighteen months as a psychiatry registrar and complete a Diploma of Mental Health externally through Monash University. David now works alongside the visiting psychiatrist and mental health team in his role as a Director of Medical Services at the Longreach Hospital.

Outside of medicine, David is the vice-president of the Longreach Jockey Club and referee for the local touch football club.  He enjoys gardening, in particular growing heirloom vegetables. David’s wife Clare is also a doctor and they have four young children.