Practice manager profile – Genevieve Stewart
01 Jul 2025
For Southern Medical Centres’ practice manager Genevieve Stewart being in a team which makes a positive impact in the community is just part of what she finds rewarding about her role. She feels “lucky every day” to work in a place she calls home and contribute to improving local health outcomes.
How long have you been a practice manager?
About two and a half years now. I started with Southern Medical in 2020, right as COVID decided to shake things up. I was finishing my psychology studies at the time and, after wrapping up my honour’s thesis, I stepped into the practice manager role in late 2022.
How long have you been working in the region?
My husband and I moved to the Highlands back in 2008 so I’ve had a good while to fall in love with the place.
What was the career path that led you here?
Let’s call it “delightfully eclectic”. I started out in finance with NAB and RAMS, then managed my family’s large caravan park in Sydney.
After moving to the Highlands, we owned a local newsagency. Eventually, I took the plunge back into study and found myself working part-time at Southern Medical. Somewhere along the line, I realised I had found my people and my place.
Why did you decide to work in primary care?
It’s hard not to love a job where you’re helping people every day. There’s something deeply rewarding about being part of a team that genuinely makes a positive impact in the community — and somehow still has a laugh doing it.
Tell us about the role of practice managers in primary care. What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
Every day is a little different, which keeps things interesting (and me on my toes). In short, I try to make sure the whole show runs smoothly — or at least looks like it does from the outside.
My days might involve managing schedules, sorting out HR hiccups, calming down a photocopier on strike, wrangling compliance, planning our next strategic steps, or maybe changing a lightbulb. It’s a bit of everything and that’s what I love about it. You need to be organised, adaptable and definitely have a sense of humour.
How does your role complement the role of other health professionals in your practice?
I like to think of myself as the backstage crew to their headline act. While the clinicians are out there saving lives and keeping people healthy, I’m behind the scenes making sure the lights are on, the doors are open, and no one’s been double-booked in Room 5.
Truthfully, it’s a little more complex than that—but it’s all part of a symbiotic relationship. The health professionals help the patients, and the admin team and I try to make sure nothing falls apart while they’re doing it.
What do you love about your job? What do you find the most fulfilling about your role?
When I stepped into the role, it was a tricky time for the practice — but we pulled together and built a team that’s genuinely close-knit and supportive which had gone from strength to strength. That makes everything worthwhile.
I love helping people, I have an odd fondness for spreadsheets and I get a strange thrill when a complex schedule finally comes together. There’s joy in solving the chaos that others avoid and being the go-to fixer when something breaks or unravels. It’s often fast-paced, a little bonkers, but incredibly rewarding.
What do you like most about the region in which you work and live?
The Southern Highlands is genuinely special — natural beauty, a strong sense of community and still close enough to larger cities without the traffic or noise. It’s peaceful, friendly and full of character.
What motivates you to work in our region?
I feel lucky every day to work in a place I also call home. Being able to support our community and contribute to local health outcomes is a real privilege. The Highlands really is the best of both worlds — connected yet calm.
Do you have any role models and why?
I’m inspired by many, but I’m particularly moved by strong women who’ve turned adversity into advocacy. Also, anyone who uplifts others and celebrates their wins earns my respect. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by those kinds of people both at work and in my personal life.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m still studying (because apparently, I am sucker for punishment), but when I do have downtime, I love spending it with my family, my slightly ridiculous dog Freddie, and my amazing friends — usually over cheese and a cheeky wine or two.
How does your practice – and the people within it – help to educate the community about maintaining good health?
Southern Medical has a strong chronic disease management program, and we work closely with a range of allied health professionals — from physio and podiatry to massage, speech and psychology.
We focus on integrated care and making sure patients know their options. We also run a regular health blog and share practical health tips on social media. And we’re always keen to get involved in PHN programs and any other local initiatives that support our patients’ wellbeing.