Heyfield Medical Centre
Welcome to Heyfield Medical Centre
Heyfield Medical Centre has been a trusted provider of high-quality, compassionate medical care to the Gippsland community for more than three decades. We are committed to offering accessible, patient-centred healthcare delivered by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and support staff. Our practice values continuity, education, and rural community service, and we take pride in being both a teaching centre and a long-standing part of the Heyfield community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the highest standard of patient care whilst incorporating a holistic approach toward diagnosis and management of illness.
We aim to treat each patient as an individual, focusing not only on their medical needs but also on their wellbeing, lifestyle, and long-term health.
Our History
Heyfield Medical Centre has a proud and enduring history. Under the leadership of Dr Peter Stevens, who served as Practice Principal from 1989 to 2025, the clinic grew into a respected hub for both patient care and medical training. Peter’s leadership helped shape the practice culture into one focused on clinical excellence, fairness, and strong engagement with rural health initiatives.
Over more than 30 years, Peter’s dedication created a lasting legacy—one founded on quality care, innovation, and commitment to future generations of medical students, registrars, and rural GPs.
In 2025, Peter entrusted the future of the practice to the next generation: his daughter Dr Sarah Christian, along with long-standing colleagues Dr Andrew Roberts and Dr Emma Beaton. This transition symbolised both the continuity of family leadership and the strength of the clinic’s emerging team. Together, Sarah, Andrew, and Emma continue to uphold the values the practice was built upon, while guiding it into a modern, progressive era of rural general practice.
Our Community
Heyfield is a rural community of approximately 4,000 people, located north of the Princes Highway, midway between—and about half an hour from—the regional centres of Traralgon and Sale. The town is near Lake Glenmaggie on the road to Licola and the High Country, and offers a variety of sporting and recreational facilities.
Heyfield Medical Centre serves a diverse population that includes townsfolk, surrounding farming communities, retirees, and seasonal tourists. The practice is proud to be an accredited RACGP and ACCRM Training Practice, reflecting our ongoing commitment to rural medical education and the training of future GPs in Gippsland.
The Practice
Heyfield Medical Centre operates as an acute general practice, committed to ensuring that all patients who need medical care on any given day are able to be seen by a doctor.
Patients are encouraged to make appointments, and those with a booked appointment are given priority. However, we also reserve capacity to accommodate urgent or same-day needs, striving to balance continuity, accessibility, and fairness.
We aim to provide a system where patients can see the doctor of their choice at a time that suits them. While this may not always be possible due to clinical demands, we work hard to be as fair and flexible as possible for both patients and doctors. Our fundamental goal is to provide consistent, compassionate care across all ages and health needs.
MEET OUR DOCTORS
Dr Peter Stevens – Former Practice Principal AND MEDICAL EDUCATOR
Dr Peter Stevens MBBS (Tas 1972), FACRRM, OAM served as the Practice Principal of Heyfield Medical Centre from 1989 until 2025, guiding the clinic for more than three decades with unwavering dedication to patients, staff, and the Gippsland community. In 2025, he proudly passed ownership to his daughter, Dr Sarah Christian, together with long-standing colleagues Dr Andrew Roberts and Dr Emma Beaton—an intentional and meaningful transition reflecting both family continuity and the strength of the next generation of clinicians.
Peter remains actively involved in medical education and rural workforce development. He is a GP Supervisor at the co-located Heyfield Hospital, a 10-bed private, not-for-profit, community-owned facility that also operates a 52-bed aged care service, comprising 30 low-care and 22 high-care beds.
In 1997, Peter was instrumental in developing the pilot of regionalised GP Training in Gippsland, a model that became the foundation for national regional GP training. He was the foundation Director of Training for Gippsland Education & Training for General Practice, served as Chair of the National GP Supervisors Association (2000–2002), and led the pilot of intern training in General Practice in Victoria in 2007.
Peter has been Chair of the National Advisory Committee for the John Flynn Placement Program since 2011 and a member of the Board of the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria since 2012. Since 2005, he has championed the development of a vertically integrated training environment of the highest quality, shaping generations of medical learners.
Peter’s long-standing commitment to Heyfield Medical Centre has left an enduring legacy—one of excellence, innovation, and deep community care. His leadership has helped build a practice grounded in strong values and forward-thinking education. By entrusting the future of the clinic to Sarah, Andrew, and Emma, he has ensured that the practice will continue to thrive, guided by clinicians who share his dedication to rural health and compassionate patient care.
Education & Qualifications:
MBBS, University of Tasmania, 1972
Fellow of the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (FACRRM), 1994
OAM
Activities & Affiliations:
Enhanced Rural Training Coordinator, Eastern Victoria GP Training
Foundation Director of Training, Gippsland Education & Training for General Practice (1997)
Chair, National GP Supervisors Association (2000–2002)
Vocationally Registered General Practitioner
Dr Andrew Roberts – Practice Principal & Medical Educator
Andrew was born in Traralgon and completed his MBBS at Monash University in 2003, followed by a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in 2005. After graduation, he gained extensive experience in teaching hospitals across Melbourne and spent several years overseas before returning to Gippsland to complete his General Practice training. Andrew has been a valued member of Heyfield Medical Centre since 2010 and became a Practice Principal and Medical Educator in July 2025.
Andrew is passionate about medical education and works with Eastern Victoria GP Training, helping to train new doctors in the Gippsland region. He is an accredited GP Supervisor and a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
Education & Qualifications:
MBBS, Monash University, 2003
Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 2005
Fellow of the RACGP (FRACGP)
Activities & Affiliations:
Eastern Victoria GP Training
Accredited Supervisor, GP Training Programme
Fellow of the RACGP
Clinical Interests:
Mental Health
Men’s Health
Sexual & Reproductive Health
GLBTI Health
Chronic Disease, Aged Care, Women’s Health, Paediatrics
Dr Sarah Christian – Practice Principal & Medical Educator
Sarah grew up in Gippsland and has a deep commitment to rural medicine and community health. She completed her MBBS at Flinders University in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Science from Melbourne University (2003). She became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) in 2015. Sarah undertook her General Practice training in the Gippsland region, gaining extensive experience across a variety of clinical settings. She became a Practice Principal and Medical Educator at Heyfield Medical Centre in July 2025, guiding the practice into its next chapter while maintaining its tradition of high-quality, patient-centred care.
Sarah is passionate about all areas of General Practice and is particularly interested in chronic disease management, mental health, women’s health, and community health initiatives. She is actively involved in medical education, mentoring new doctors and supporting rural GP training programs in Gippsland.
Education & Qualifications:
MBBS, Flinders University, 2008
Bachelor of Science, Melbourne University, 2003
Fellow of the RACGP (FRACGP), 2015
Activities & Affiliations:
Eastern Victoria GP Training – Training Advisor, Medical Educator, and FARGP Mentor
Accredited Supervisor, GP Training Programme
Clinical Interests:
Chronic Disease Management
Mental Health
Women’s Health
Paediatrics
Community Health Initiatives
Dr Emma Beaton – Practice Principal & Medical Educator
Emma grew up in Toongabbie and began her career as a Physiotherapist, completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) at Monash University in 2010. She then pursued medicine, completing her MBBS at Monash University in 2015, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) at James Cook University in 2018. After completing her junior doctor years, Emma moved into rural General Practice training in 2019. She undertook her GP training at Yarram Medical Centre and chose to remain at Heyfield Medical Centre after completing her fellowship. Emma became a Practice Principal and Medical Educator in July 2025.
Emma is passionate about providing comprehensive care across all areas of General Practice, with particular interests in geriatric medicine, chronic disease management, mental health, women’s health, and paediatrics. She is also dedicated to medical education and mentoring, supporting the next generation of rural GPs through the Eastern Victoria GP Mentor Program.
Education & Qualifications:
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Monash University, 2010
MBBS, Monash University, 2015
Master of Public Health (MPH), James Cook University, 2018
Activities & Affiliations:
Australian Medical Association Member
Eastern Victoria GP Mentor Program
Diploma in Children’s Health
Focused Psychological Skills Training
Clinical Interests:
Geriatric Medicine
Chronic Disease Management
Mental Health
Women’s Health
Paediatrics
Practice Team
Practice Manager – Michelle Johnson
Michelle Johnson has been leading the Heyfield Medical Centre team since February 2024, ensuring that the practice runs smoothly and efficiently. She works closely with our dedicated administration team to support both patients and staff, helping to create a seamless and welcoming experience for everyone who visits the clinic.
Michelle is here to assist with any questions or concerns regarding your care and is committed to providing the highest standard of service and support. If you need assistance, she and the team are always ready to help.
Aged Health assessments
Sr Heather Phillipson
Aged Health Assessments
REGISTERED NURSES:
Sr Valerie Czosnek,
Diabetic EducatorSr Heather Phillipson,
Aged Health assessmentsSr Kate Clear
Immunisation Co-ordinator
Sr Jenny Bullen,
Asthma EducatorSr Joanne Hector,
Cervical Screening
Our reception team, as well as the many students, Interns and Learners make up the Heyfield Medical Centre family.
