A Legacy of Giving

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Dr Steven Hambleton AM

No 25-year celebration for AMA Queensland Foundation would be complete without reconnecting with Dr Steven Hambleton AM. At the helm of the Foundation for thirteen years from 2008 to 2021 and remaining as a Director until 2022, Dr Hambleton is well-known and fondly remembered by many Foundation supporters. 

To round off our ’25 years of giving back’ series, we caught up with Dr Hambleton, who is still as passionate today about the relevance and purpose of the AMA Queensland Foundation as he was during his presidency. We discussed some of the people and projects he was involved with during his tenure that remain with him as highlights.

Devotion to medical advocacy

Dr Hambleton’s commitment to the Foundation would be ample for any physician also involved in running three large general practices in Queensland, yet he has dedicated himself to medical politics, education, and health reform for many years in a range of significant representative roles alongside his practice.

When Dr Hambleton stepped into the role as AMA Queensland Foundation President in 2009, he did so as the immediate past president of AMA Queensland (2005-2006). 

In conjunction with his appointment to the Foundation Board, Dr Hambleton also took on the role of Federal AMA Vice President (2009-11) before stepping into the role of President until 2014. 

As an advocate for better health, Dr Hambleton has  contributed significantly through roles such as co-Chair of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review and past member of GP Rural Incentive Working Group, National Immunisation Committee, and Review of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) to name just a few. He was also a University of Queensland adjunct professor from 2018-2021.

For these services and more, Dr Hambleton AM has been formally recognised. in 2022, he was made a Member of the Order (AM) of Australia for significant service to medical governance, to professional associations, and to the community. He was made an Honorary Fellow of RACGP in 2014. He was also awarded AMA Fellowship in 2007, was awarded the Federal AMA Gold Medal for his services to the Medical Profession in 2015 and received the AMA Queensland President’s medal. 

Currently, Dr Hambleton is Chair of Avant Mutual, Specialist Adviser to the Australian Digital Health Agency having previously chaired its Clinical Governance Committee. He also sits on the Board of Mercy Community Services. 

In 2025 Dr Hambleton marked his own milestone of 40 years as an AMA Queensland member.

Given this experience, to say that the Foundation was lucky to have Dr Hambleton as President for so many years is an understatement.

Pictured above: Dr Steven Hambleton AM with AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim at the Membership Milestone event. 

Making ‘giving back’ part of the membership DNA

As not only Past President but as a long-standing member of AMA Queensland, Dr Hambleton was passionate about connecting membership to the Foundation, helping to establish a legacy of giving amongst Queensland’s doctors that continues to this day. 

“All AMA Queensland members support the Foundation as part of their membership, with support in-kind provided, but where those members are able to give a little extra, that’s when the Foundation can really make a difference.,” he said. 

“Medicine has given us a pretty good life, and it’s an opportunity to ask, how can we help?” he said. 
Throughout his time as President, Dr Hambleton recalls the immense generosity of donors, many of whom still support the Foundation today, 

“We have had some extraordinary donors over the years, and I’d like to acknowledge those donors that are readily digging into their pockets to help those less fortunate.”

Perhaps one of the most memorable donations was made while raising funds for a motorised wheelchair for a Red Hill Special School student. The chair, which cost $18,000 had the dual purpose of also becoming a demo so that other students could show capability of use and apply for funding to obtain one of their own. 

“Donors, Chris and Melanie, were so moved by the level of need that they bought the wheelchair outright. It was incredible that level of generosity,”

“When we presented the wheelchair to that young man, the smile on his face was absolutely priceless. It’s something that will stay with me forever,” he said.

Another initiative made possible through the generosity of donors is the Foundation’s Medical Student Scholarship program, which began in 2004. To date, it has supported 39 medical students who may otherwise not have stayed in medical school. 

“The support is enough to take some of the pressure off them, so they can concentrate on their studies.”

“Many of the students who went through on the program are now well-respected doctors in the community,” he said.

Another project Dr Hambleton is particularly proud of, is assisting in the publication of the Common Medical Problems in the Tropics written by Dr Christopher Schull OAM, which provides crucial advice for health professionals working in developing countries. 

“The Foundation provided the funds to help produce this textbook which was distributed worldwide and is still really useful today,” he said. 

Pictured above: Dr Hambleton with Red Hill Special School student in 2009.

Acknowledging the contributions of many 

While Dr Hambleton was President for more than a decade, he was quick to highlight the many great people both before and after him that helped make the Foundation what it is today. 
“I’d like to acknowledge Dr Brett Dale, the Foundation’s managing director, and Dr Dulip Dhupelia, the current Foundation chair, who have helped to put the Foundation on continual stable footing,” he said. 

“I’d also like to acknowledge my predecessor, Dr Robert Sinclair, who led as president for over five years before me,” he said.

Dr Sinclair established the scholarship program in connection with James Cook University and oversaw a range of charity projects in Australia and overseas.

Dr Hambleton also remembers the directors who made a commitment alongside him to improve health outcomes for Queenslanders in need. 

“I’d like to thank all our directors along the way who gave their time so freely for our causes.” 

“I’d especially like to acknowledge Ms Katherine Philp who was a longstanding director over nine years and Mr Ross Noye who had served the Foundation for 14 years before his tragic death in 2017.”

Nr Noye passed away suddenly while holidaying in New Zealand after taking part in a charity bike ride. 

Pictured above: Dr Hambleton addresses the 2011 Foundation Charity Gala

A charity where you can make a tangible difference 

Dr Hambleton said the Foundation was a unique charity to be involved in, in that there are few overheads.

“If you want to cut through red tape and improve health outcomes for people in need, AMA Queensland Foundation is absolutely the way to do it,” he said. 

“It’s one of those charities where for the price of a cup of coffee every week, you can actually make a big difference.”

Thank you

In our 25th year, we thank Dr Steven Hambleton AM for his significant contribution to AMA Queensland Foundation.