Dr Paul Mara, AM, is a GP who has served the rural community for more than 33 years, has played a foundational role in the development of general practice in Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas. Dr Mara was a central figure behind the formation of the Rural Doctors Association of NSW, and was a founding member and inaugural Vice President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia – becoming President in 2010, and he was the inaugural Director of General Practice at the Federal AMA.  He was a key participant in negotiating the establishment of the Divisions of General Practice, as well as vocational registration, GP training reforms, and practice enhancement grants (the precursor to the Practice Incentives Program). He is founder and Managing Director of GPA Accreditation, which accredits 2000 practices nationwide.