December 12, 2025
Kilkivan Rural Clinic’s popular GP Sandra Zeeman was farewelled last week by the community after 12 years of care to local patients.
The farewell was hosted by Kilkivan & District Community Care (KDCCAI) to celebrate both Dr Zeeman’s professional commitment to her patients and also her strategic gathering of other health professionals around her over more than a decade.
Two other GPs now in the practice, Drs James Mann and James Pearson, as well as nurse practitioner Jenny Doherty and pharmacist Jeff Sayd attended, along with CheckUp representative Gayle Stallard.
Gympie Regional Council was represented by Kilkivan manager Bonnie Farrow who reflected on how Council staff had actually taken the first bookings after Dr Zeeman began in Kilkivan.
Dr Zeeman started at Kilkivan Rural Clinic in November 2013.
In her comments to the crowd, she acknowledged the contributions from especially CheckUp – which has provided funding to support her presence – as well as Gympie Regional Council which she praised for its in-kind support, including premises and internet, which has helped to make the practice viable as a bulk-billing primary care location.
The morning’s format was overseen by KDCCAI president Rosie Fitzgerald who outlined the vital role this GP practice and the associated allied health professionals and Kilkivan Pharmacy played in making ageing-in-place feasible for local seniors.
There were an amazing five local nonagenarians in the room.
Ms Fitzgerald then introduced her father Ian, 96, who recited two poems he had written about bush life, and then introduced “Kilkivan’s most mature resident” Mavis O’Neill, 97, who spoke warmly of Dr Zeeman’s contribution and manner.
Dr Zeeman was presented with a gift from the community: a hand-made original “Ageing Disgracefully” jacket made by local senior Di Wade.
CheckUp senior manager Gayle Stallard also praised the retiring GP and presented her with a flower arrangement and a gift.
NB: Kilkivan Rural Clinic is currently seeing patients at the Council Boardroom at 26 Bligh Street; Dr Zeeman has consultations booked until late December.
[Photos: KDCCAI]
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