COOEE! October 2008

I n t h i s I s s u e :t

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• Rural Health Club Reports

• Members Story

• Indigenous Festivals

• Working Parties

• Placement Reports

• NRHSN Alumni Interviews

• Portfolio Reports

• Quiz and Photo Competition

• Conferences of National Significance

2008 Co-Chair Report

NRHSN Members at the Coonamble NSW Vibe Alive Festival

Photo: Courtesy of Shannon Nott

Welcome to another edition of Cooee – the biannual newsletter of the NRHSN. When we applied and took over

as the Co-Chairs in early 2008, we knew we were going to be

busy. Little did we actually know how busy it will be!

However, our ever constant workload has also been a

constant source of inspiration to both of us and a privilege.

We are truly blessed to have a fantastic group of over

7000 students with an interest in rural health; a wonderful

council; an incredible and active group of portfolio holders;

a hardworking and dedicated team of staff members; and a

passionate Executive Team.

Since the last Cooee, a lot has changed for the Network.

We’ve changed our name to the National Rural Health

Students’ Network (NRHSN) to better reflect our core role

of representing students. We also welcome three new

clubs – AWAIRH at La Trobe University Wodonga campus,

ROUNDS at the University of Notre Dame Sydney campus,

and HOPE4HEALTH at Griffith University. This brings our total

membership to 28 clubs from around Australia covering all

health disciplines – a truly fantastic achievement given the

network started 13 years ago with just 100 medical students.

We are, however, saddened to learn of Litsa Kane’s

resignation as Executive Officer of the NRHSN. Since her

time with the NRHSN (and the NRHN) since 2005, she has

seen and guided the Network from just 18 clubs with 4000

members to 28 clubs with over 7000 members. She has

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

2008 Co-Chair Report

Welcometo Cooee!...Continued from page 1

The National Rural Health Students’

Network is supported by financial

assistance from the

Australian Government.

weathered through four exec teams (2005

– Jane Barton, Melissa Flint and Joseph Turner;

2006 – Angela Titmuss, Craig Smith and Nick

Moore; 2007 – Nick Moore, Claire Seiffert and

Felix Ho; and 2008 – Felix Ho, Shannon Nott

and Fiona Langelaan), the Nous report of 2005,

a major expansion of staff numbers, change of

office, three logo changes (NRHN, NRHSN and

RHWA), two name changes (NRHN to NRHSN,

ARRWAG to RHWA), two successful conferences

(2007 NRHN Forum, 2008 10th NURHC),

multiple budgets, multiple launches (When

the Cowpat Hits the Windmill, Placements

Guide, RHSV Kit, Wide Horizons DVD, Policy &

Procedures Guide, Induction Kit, Placements

Guide) while simultaneous working as the

Executive Officer of the NRHSN AND Operations

Manager for RHWA, and this is just the stuff

that we hear about! We will miss her dearly

and wish you all the best for the upcoming

birth of your first child!!

However, we are delighted to introduce two

new staff members to the NRHSN team.

Amanda Hall joins the team as our new

National Program Manager. Amanda has

extensive experience in the fields of human

movement, the fitness industry and program

management. We also welcome Jane Jamieson,

our new Project Support Officer. With an

extensive administrative background, Jane

is responsible for the successful Conferences

of National Significance (CoNS) program,

management of the 11th NURHC proposal,

contact lists and this Cooee! newsletter.

Amanda and Jane, a very warm welcome to

the NRHSN!

Congratulations to the clubs involved in the

Wakakirri, Deadly Days and Vibe Alive, NAIDOC

and Ti-Tree Indigenous Festivals. Indigenous

Festivals aim to inspire primary and secondary

school aged students to be “Strong, Smart and

Deadly” through participation in workshops

involving health, music, story-telling,

education, and the celebration of culture and

sport. The NRHSN has maintained our national

representation through participation in all

indigenous festivals through the year. A special

thank you to the club organisers and the

festival coordinators.

By the time this edition goes to print, a new

Executive Team would be elected and the role

of the council will be expanded. We wish the

2009 Executive Team and Council the very best

in their terms!

Lastly, thank you to you – our members,

stakeholders and readers – for your continued

support of the NRHSN. The Network is here

for you so please let the NRHSN team and

your Rural Health Club know if we could be of

assistance. Please feel free to contact us at any

time. We look forward to hearing and sharing

your stories.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Cooee!

Felix Ho and Shannon Nott

2008 NRHSN Co-Chairs

felix@nrhsn.org.au & shannon@nrhsn.org.au

Get Connected! Editorial

NRHSN & Rural Health Workforce Australia

Dr Kim Webber, CEO

Out the back of Bourke!

It has been quite an eventful year in rural

health! There is no doubt that there are

numerous programs funded by the government

that are designed to increase the health

workforce in rural and remote Australia. When

all is said and done, we are working hard to

ensure that these programs will influence not

just the intentions, but the actions of health

professionals. The million dollar question for

us is: Will an appreciation for our rural and

remote health challenges really result in an

increase in the number of health graduates

who choose to relocate to these areas and put

their skills to use for those who need it most?

The establishment of the Office of Rural

Health in July has brought together key areas

from across the Department of Health and

Ageing with responsibilities in rural health

policy, programs and workforce distribution

and highlights these as a priority for the

Government.

Following the recent Audit of Health Workforce

in Rural and Regional Australia, we are now

in a period of evaluation of existing programs

that support rural health professionals

and communities, as well as the degree

of investment in rural and regional health

services. More than ever we need to take

advantage of the opportunities that we have

to drive reform with regard to policy and the

incentives currently offered in the rural health

sector.

As students, you are the voice of the future

health workforce, and with over 7000

members based at 28 Rural Health Clubs

around the country, that voice is getting louder!

Your submission to the National Health and

Hospital Reform Commission made very clear

the environment, conditions and expectations

that you, as the future health workforce, need

in place to support you in working in the bush.

The student view is eagerly sought by those

who make decisions about where energy,

money and time are best directed. I encourage

you to be there when the questions are

asked, to let the government know what your

experiences are and what the many health

disciplines need in order to work together

effectively - “Out the back of Bourke”.

All the best to you as you move in to exams

and complete your studies for 2008 and I look

forward to a positive and progressive year for

rural health in 2009.

Rural Health Workforce Australia

Kim Webber – CEO

Litsa Kane – Operations Manager

Mandy Leveratt – Senior Policy Officer

Jeremy Maddox – Data Analyst

Linda O’Meara – Finance Manager

Estilita Vaz – Administration & Executive Assistant

National Rural Health Students’ Network Staff

Amanda Hall – National Program Manager

Linda Nink – Senior Project Officer

Kerryn Eccleston – Project Officer

Jane Jamieson – Project Support Officer

Well, not only has our network of clubs and

students continued to grow, but so too has

our team of staff! With Litsa taking a step

back from the ever energetic network as

she prepares for motherhood, we welcome

Amanda Hall as our new National Program

Manager. With day 1 at the Council Face-to-

Face in September, she has launched straight

into NRHSN life and is looking forward to

getting to know each of the clubs. Linda and

Kerryn continue their ongoing support of the

network with much knowledge and experience

with the network, and an unending enjoyment

of the student happenings around the country.

Jane had also made a dedicated and passionate

addition to the team, having already

participated in the recent Rural Appreciation

Weekend and Deadly Days Festival and has

even showcased her barn dancing skills!

This edition of Cooee! is jam packed with

experiences, events, resources and projects

that epitomise the energy that NRHSN

members have for rural health!

The 2008 Indigenous Festivals have so far

been a delight for the senses, inspiring school

children and health students alike amongst the

sights and sounds of remote Australia - with

6 more festivals this year through October

and November. Our Working Parties are

busy with a number of exciting projects all of

which will take the impact that we make as

an organisation to the next level - including

gearing up for a huge NURHC in 2009! Reports

streaming in from the many recipients of

funding for Conferences of National Significance

show how NRHSN representation at these

events can help us promote the student voice

and continue to push for what the future

of health needs in the workplace. Rural

placement stories abound and word from

NRHSN Alumni shows us how important

networks like ours are for keeping remote

Health Professionals connected. Our Portfolio

Holders and Representatives from our partner

organisations continue to drive our initiatives

forward from their unique perspectives and

ensure that we learn how best to bring

the needs of each of the health disciplines

together.

The defining characteristic of a true network

is the capacity to create links and connections

that are mutually beneficial. This issue

of Cooee! gives quite a snapshot of the

relationships that you are continuing to

strengthen with others who share your passion

for rural health and is a credit to your ability

to reach out and communicate. We hope you

enjoy your newsletter – let us know what you

think!

Linda, Kerryn, Jane and Amanda

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

NRHSN Website

www.nrhsn.org.au

Rural High School Visits

www.nrhsn-rhsv.org.au

Our Members Matt Cane, Pharmacy

Rustica President & NAPSA Rep on NRHSN Council

NRHSN/AMSA Bursaries

Wow, since the April edition of Cooee! the NRHSN website has received

138,317 page views! Members can go to www.nrhsn.org.au for

information about scholarships (currently being updated by the

scholarships and placements working party) and Indigenous Festivals,

apply for CoNS and even download an electronic copy of past and current

editions of Cooee!

Each Rural Health Club (RHC) has their own page which is updated by their

club executive, so you can also find out what is happening at your club.

Upcoming Events is a new feature that allows RHCs to upload the

information about events that are coming up, and are a great opportunity

to invite members from other RHC’s to come along, or for you to get ideas

about events that your club can run. You are also encouraged to send

through reports and photos on events that you have held to help inspire

other clubs.

Indigenous Health Essays Allied Health/Nursing Joni Nissen, TROHPIQ

Medical Jonathon Epstein

Rural Placement Bursaries Allied Health Brooke Saunders, AURHA

Nursing Sally Grainger, TEHC

Medical Jodie Delanty , Rustica &

Geordon Shannon, BREAATHHE

The NRHSN teamed up with AMSA in 2008 to offer $1,000 bursaries to Allied Health,

Nursing and Medical students to undertake a rural elective and also $1,000 prize for an essay

on Indigenous Health. The NRHSN and AMSA are very pleased to announce that

Joni, Jonathon, Sally,Brooke, Josie & Geordon have been granted the relevant awards.

You can find the winning essays on the NRHSN website at www.nrhsn.org.au/go/bursary,

along with some of the other entries. Brooke, Sally, Jodie and Geordon will write reports on

their placements to be held by July 2009, and reports will be available on the NRHSN website

as they become available.

Matt can almost be described as a one man multi-D team! As an ambo

(still working 20 hours per week on top of study), qualified nurse,

experience with the RFDS and current pharmacy student and a true

passion for rural and remote health, he certainly sums up the spirit of

the NRHSN. Joining Rustica with the promise of a free t-shirt, Matt has

increased the profile of allied health disciplines within his club, as well as

becoming “more and more interested in rural health”.

NURHC 08 provided him with the opportunity to have his best and worst

RHC/NRHSN experiences! As co-convenor of NURHC 08, Launceston,

Matt was able to “showcase Launceston to the rest of the country” while

the Golden Windmills performance night saw Matt and his Rustica team

‘gonged’ off the stage - by a fellow Tasmanian no less - half way through

their less than successful performance of Ebony and Ivory, collecting the

evening’s wooden spoon along the way!

Other than health, Matt’s passion is travel and meeting people, which is

fortunate with the amount that of travel Matt has done so far with his

studies and the NRHSN. Luckily for us, he is color blind, or else we may

have missed out with his first career choice being a pilot.

In five years time, Matt can picture himself (with his wife and son

who hardly get to see him in between all of his commitments at

the moment!) as an ambulance station officer in a rural town while

completing locum pharmacy work. Where? Undecided at the moment,

his wife will certainly also get a say but King Island, where he undertook

a pharmacy placement, has been a highlight so far - with the cheese,

beef and fresh air and the fact that the “pharmacy opens at 9.30am and

closes for lunch hour” - could be a possibility.

Matt’s advice to health students is - “If you think rural - don’t think

Hicksville rural doesn’t mean small, without facilities. Give it a go - it will

be surprising!” And for those of you who are suffering from a need of a

different work environment - “you don’t need to change careers, a rural

location can provide the challenge you need”.

All Clubs should have received the new and improved Rural High School

Visits (RHSV) Kit earlier this year. This is a great resource to help you with

ideas and activities in preparation for your next RHSV.

The new RHSV website is also up and running and hopefully you have all

had a chance to check it out! The website shows where RHCs have visited

and where they will be visiting soon. This can be a great opportunity to

get ideas and maybe even join in with another Club’s RHSV. There are

many reports and stories from RHC members and high school students, so

log on and have a read.

Keep your Clubs RHSVs up to date by logging on and entering an event

or emailing details. We are always looking for suggestions and ideas

on ways to improve and expand the RHSV program so feel free to get in

contact with us and send your ideas through to rhsv@nrhsn.org.au. Vibe Alive,

Coonamble NSW

Vibe Alive,Coonamble NSW

“The kids had a great deal of fun as did many

of the teachers; it was great to be able to promote the health of these little ones and also

encourage them to consider jobs in the health industry. At the end of the day the school was

very impressed and keen to have us back for even longer next time!”

Dianne Thorp (CARAH), Wakakirri Festival Yuendumu, NT

Indigenous FestivalsThe NRHSN at Wakakirri, Vibe Alive, Deadly Days, NAIDOC & Ti-Tree Festivals

NAIDOC Festival, Broome WA

Vibe Alive, Coonamble NSW

Vibe Alive,

Port Augusta SA

Wakakirri Festival,Bloomfield River Region QLDNAIDOC Festival,

Broome WA

Vibe Alive,

Coonamble NSW

“We were able to talk to the kids about all different health careers and get them thinking about

how there’s lots of different health care professionals – not just doctors and nurses – and how

they all work together to help patients.”Teesha Downton (SHARP) Vibe Alive Coonamble, NSW

So far... Vibe Alive (Coonamble NSW & Port Augusta SA), Wakakirri (Yuendumu NT, Bloomfield River Region

& Cunamulla QLD), NAIDOC (Broome WA). Now happening.... Vibe Alive (Kalgoorlie WA, Mildura VIC &

Rockhampton QLD), Deadly Days (Wollongbar, Coffs Harbour & Taree NSW), Ti-Tree (Alice Springs NT)

Vibe Alive,Coonamble NSW

“The days went really quickly

and all the student volunteers did an amazing job

keeping up with the mobs of kids that came through

the tents. The kids were really enthusiastic and

participated with much excitement in all activities.”

Gabby Diplock (FURHS) Vibe

Alive Port Augusta, SA

Wakakirri Festival,Yuendumu NT

Wakakirri Festival,

Bloomfield River Region QLD

“We joined the throng of locals and tourists huddling around the tables packed

full of the roasted local flora and fauna as we listened to a brief talk on Aboriginal bush tucker.

Cooked in the traditional methods were dishes of acacia seed duck, roasted bush turkey, boiled

camel tail, bush damper, satay kangaroo and lobster. It only took a glance at it all to decide that

perhaps ‘tasting’ was an understatement... definitely a memorable cultural experience for us all!”

Samantha Johnson (MARHS) NAIDOC Festival, Broome, WA

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

NURHC 09 Amanda Hall

The National Membership Database Working

Party has made good progress over the last

few months.

Thanks to the feedback on the membership

form, we have been able to devise a more

generalised form that will suit most clubs.

NRHSN is awaiting funding approval and will be

seeking 3 clubs - an old, new and in between

to participate in the pilot. The working party

will be requesting feedback on the alumni

database and reports. A pilot scheme will be

phased in as follows:

Phase 1

Generic membership form with database

Simple administrative facilities including

email distribution lists, adding/editing/

removing members

Club’s demographic report generators

Separate alumni database

Phase 2

Adding further functionality based on

feedback from Phase 1

Phase 3

E-business model for payments

Any other interested members can forward

their details to joshua.crase@gmail.com.

Membership Database Josh Crase

Cultural Awareness Shannon Nott

Scholarship & Placements Luke Smith

In past editions of Cooee! we have heard many

stories from past members of the NRHSN about

their adventures… but there are so many more

out there with whom we have lost contact.

As a result of this growing number of people,

an alumni working party has been formed

to develop and expand an NRHSN Alumni, in

order for past members to stay in touch with us

and each other.It is envisaged that a database

will be developed to include Alumni members

details such as their past club affliliation,

university and course studied, their current

employer, their role, and if they are willing or

able to take students for elective placements.

Through this we are hoping to reconnect past

members of the NRHSN (NRHN), and inspire

current students who may be considering a

placement or job in a rural or remote area.

At present we are working to expand our

membership, through an online form and

through a newly-formed Facebook group. So, if

you are a past member of the NRHSN (or your

Rural Health Club) or you know someone who

is, please visit the NRHSN website and join the

Alumni today!

NRHSN Alumni Kate GrayThe Cultural Awareness Working Party has aims

to create a resource to begin the education

of students going on Indigenous community

placements or those interested in Indigenous

culture. The aim is to create resources, in

conjunction with Indigenous peak bodies and

community controlled health organisations

that will promote cross-cultural training and

cultural safety.

As many of you know Indigenous culture

cannot be defined by a universal definition. It

is dynamic and diverse, changing from state

to state and region to region. Thus, it has

been decided to create two resources that

will better reflect our outcomes. These two

resources are: A cross-cultural training guide

A cross-cultural website

The training guide is the working party’s

current project. It aims to be a starting

reference, but not a definitive resource, with

generic information on Indigenous culture as

well as directing students to places that they

can find more information.

If you’re interested in Indigenous health or

have any suggestions please email Shannon

Nott shannon@nrhsn.org.au.

The Scholarships and Placements Working

Party aims to investigate the availability of

scholarships and placement opportunities for

various health disciplines across Australia,

hoping to create a database using this

information. The data collected will also be

used to lobby organisations to create further

scholarship and placements in areas of need.

The working party is currently compiling a

list of holders of these scholarships, prizes,

bursaries and cadetships are strongly

encouraged to help us by providing information

to the working party on the terms of their

scholarship.

Further information on becoming involved with

the working party or submitting scholarship

information is available from

Luke Smith (medical@nrhsn.org.au) or Felix Ho

(felix@nrhsn.org.au).

Following the success of NURHC this year, the

clubs who have made a bid to host our 2009

conference have big shoes to fill - and we have

had some very enthusiastic and passionate

expressions of interest! Though we may not

yet know exactly where the conference will be

held, we are well aware of what we want it to

include and will soon be creating a sponsorship

prospectus that will be used to gain support

for involvement from sponsors and guest

speakers. Our aim is to create an academic

program that will be as unique as our network in

its focus on the multi-disciplinary challenges and

opportunities that working in the bush presents.

We will pursue speakers that can guide and

inspire you as the future of rural health. We will

use the Conference as an opportunity to further

raise the profile of the network and the work

you all do so tirelessly in preparing the rural

health sector, and each other, for life after your

graduate.

Our working party would love to have your

ideas or experiences from conferences you

have attended through the very successful

CoNS program to help us make this an event to

remember! Please email amanda@nrhsn.org.au.

Working Parties

Conferences of National Significance Funding (CoNS)

Quiz! An open book exam

1. How many Indigenous Festivals will the NRHSN have been involved in this year through the Rural Health Clubs?

2. Which state or territory only has one Rural Health Club?

3. When was the NRHSN (NRHN) established?

4. Who won the NRHSN Bursary for a nursing placement?

5. Which RHC organised a Cross Cultural Awareness Weekend in 2008?

6. What significant event which happened to the 6th NURHC in 2001?

7 How many RHCs are there in NSW?

8. In which state is the NRHSN/Rural Health Workforce Australia office based?

9. What is the name of the recent NRHSN DVD promoting Rural Clinical Placements?

10. How many page views has the NRHSN website received since the April edition of Cooee!?

Answers on the back cover.

It’s been a record breaking year for successful CoNS funding applications

to the NRHSN. We’ve funded 64 students delegates to 19 different

conferences across Australia, from Adelaide to Yeppoon, Queensland.

The NRHSN and the RHC (Rural Health Clubs) have been represented by

a wide range of health disciplines; 26 from Medicine, 9 Nursing and 29

Allied Health. 18 of the RHC’s got on board the program.

We have an increasing number of students presenting at conferences and

this is very favourably considered when reviewing applications.

We are about to update the list of approved conferences . The criteria

for consideration is predominantly rural/remote health content with a

national significance(as opposed to state or international). Please send

us information and recommendations for additions and removals to

jane@nrhsn.org.au.

The CRANA (Council of Remote Area Nurses Australia) 26th National

Conference announced the eiight CRANA/NAA ( Nursing Agency

Australia) scholarships to assist students with their work placements.

Congratulations go to Lillian Duthie, Sally Grainger, Lisa Jones, Kathleen

O’Keefe, Barry Horn, Rebecca Mc Lellan, Maggie O’Sullivan and Peter

Westcoast.

The delegates Conference Reports often make inspirational reading and

perform a valuable research tool when deciding on the most appropriate

conference. Here are some excerpts................

Agatha Williams, Nursing student, SHARP, attended the CRANA 26th

National Conference. “The entire conference opened my eyes to what

it takes to be a remote area nurse. RAN’s have finely tuned skills and

really are the unsung heroes of remote Australia. CRANA encourages its

nurses to expanded their knowledge and discuss how they can better

their practice. “

Renae Strugnell, Occupational Therapy Student, ROUSTAH was one

of the many students attending the SARRAH Conference.

“...this was a fantastic opportunity to truly grasp the realities of

working as an Allied Health Professional in a rural setting. I was so

pleased to be surrounded by like minded people both professionals

and students who are all passionate about making a difference

to the lives of people in rural areas! Networking was also a key

element to the Conference especially the dinner, having met many

professionals from around the Nation whom our member’s even

received job offers! I would encourage all students’ to get involved

and attend as many conferences as possible such a fun experience!

Wendy Henderson, Medical Student, RUSTICA, attended the SWAN XVI

Trauma Conference in Sydney had this to report.

I feel that this conference has significantly contributed to my knowledge

of rural health issues and enthusiasm for rural practice in my aspired

speciality area; Emergency medicine. It was very valuable from the

point of view that I got to capture a solid overview of emergency/

trauma services and how these are organised & run Australia wide.”

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

Postcards from the North Three members write from the ‘Top End’ about their amazing placements experiences. Their full reports are at www.nrhsn.org.au/go/placements.

Jacinta Spry 4th year Flinders Medical Student and her partner, ventured From Arnhem Land

to Alice Springs as part of her six month rural stream offered to fourth year Flinders medical

students. “Nhulunbuy is a remote, vibrant and welcoming township of 4,000 people on the

northeast coast of Arnhem Land It is the hub of a number of medical and other services that

support eight other major Aboriginal communities, and many more homelands and outstations

in the area. If you have a passion for remote and Indigenous health, but still enjoy the comforts

and support of living in a town, it’s a great place to be.

The Yolngu people of East Arnhem have a fascinating life, law and language. It’s been a really

amazing experience to go with Yolngu families hunting, fishing, walking and gathering bark for

painting.It’s been fascinating to listen to their stories...

A diverse learning environment suited me and there were lots of opportunity to create my own

experience and timetable. These included working in town at Wiwatj Aboriginal Health Service

and going to remote bush clinics in the homelands with Layhnapuy Health. Working on the

wards, emergency or in clinics with visiting specialisits at Gove District Hospital and participating

in aero-medical retrievals. Alternatively I could choose to fly out to large communities like

Milingimbi or Ramingining with the Mental Health Team or District Medical Officers. I feel very

lucky to have wonderful experiences while still studying. The aim is to have such a good time

as a student that we might come back one day – it’s working!”

Nick Knowles (BNurs, MPH, MPharm), formerly a member of CRANC now a Graduate

Pharmacist, writes “I have called my clinical placement in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, a

‘true Australian pharmacy experience’ before I arrived there, I thought I knew what pharmacy in

Australia was all about. I had experienced pharmacy in NSW and the ACT and thought that I had

things pretty well covered. My time in the East Arnhem Land made me realise that pharmacy in

Australia has much more to offer than most of us expect.... The most confronting challenge was

language. For the Yolngu people of East Arnhem Land, English is not so much a second language

as a foreign language.

Pharmacists need to ensure a consistent high quality supply of medicines and pharmacy-

related products to remote communities. Providing education and information to residents and

health workers in remote communities is a massive challenge. If you are the only community

pharmacist in Arnhem Land, how do you get out to all of the remote communities and keep

your shop open? There is plenty of room for smart innovation and self-directed initiative. To

suceed in remote Australia, you must develop a positive rapport with the community, if you are

willing to have a crack & chance your arm, opportunities will open up for you.”

Kate Gray recently completed a 5-week placement as part of her final year of her physiotherapy

course, in Derby a couple of hours north-east of Broome in the West Kimberley. The allied health

team is based at Derby Hospital, and also services the town of Fitzroy Crossing, stations and

communities in the region.

“A typical day for me involved spending the morning on the ward at the hospital, assessing and

treating everything from pneumonias and COPD exacerbations to patients for rehab post CVA,

children with cerebral palsy… and even the odd tourist with a croc bite! During the afternoons

I primarily saw outpatients, but also did school and home visits. There are regular trips to visit

communities, either flying or driving, depending on distance and whether there is a RFDS clinic on

that day. One of my fondest memories of these trips is of visiting Wananami School at Kupungarri

Community on the Gibb River Road – the kids were so loving and wanted to learn and have a go

at everything! I met some truly amazing people and it was wonderful though to see how well the

allied health team worked together living in sometimes very isolated areas.”

NRHSN Alumni

Hamish Alker-Jones was a member of

SHARP while studying his Bachelor of Science,

Hons (Chem) and of LARHC Wodonga (now

named AWAIRH) for his Bachelor of Nursing, La

Trobe University Albury/Wodonga Campus which

he graduated from in 2004.

Asked about some of his memories of the NRHSN, Hamish remembers

the “Tasmanian NURHC which was postponed due to an airline strike,

highlighting the difficulties of getting health professionals into areas

that have limited transport” & on his favourite memory “I’m not sure

I’d be comfortable with printing that!”

While studying, Hamish “chose a mix of local, rural, remote and metro

areas whilst on placement. These ranged from living in a converted

school bus on a farm in Springhurst to nurses quarters in a Canberra

hospital to laying half awake with

the 2-way ambulance radio by the

bed whilst on placement with the

RFDS in Wilcannia.”

Discussing his path to where he is

now, Hamish says “I started off in

general nursing, but quickly moved

across to psych nursing. I have

enjoyed having the flexibility in

employment. I chose nursing as

something I wanted to do and so

made myself a promise that if I was

unhappy, or what I was doing wasn’t what I wanted, I would look

elsewhere and keep my options open. I’ve stuck to that, and it has

made things all the more enjoyable.

Before joining the Early Psychosis Service, Wodonga Regional Health

Service, I was part of the Crisis team which, due to the size (or lack

of compared to a metro area) isn’t a Crisis Assessment and Treatment

Team (CATT), but rather an Acute Adult Response and Treatment Team

(AARTT). Here I learned valuable skills that have been put to good

use during the after hours on-call. This provides psychiatric response

and assessment to the catchment area outside of business hours.

Here you are a sole clinician, and need to liaise with the inpatient

unit, ED and other emergency services to assess, determine treatment

and potentially provide transport for individuals within the scope of

the Mental Health Act of Victoria. What adds an extra dimension to

this is the inpatient unit is 70 km down the road!

No two days are ever

the same. Looking

after the mental health

of individuals in a

community setting has

many challenges and

when the barriers of

stigma, disconnectedness,

rurality and illness can be

overcome, it makes the

hassles all worth it.”

What do members get up to after graduation?

Jess Turner was an

active member of ROUSATH

while she completed her

Bachelor of Enabling and

Participating (“some call

it Occupational Therapy”)

graduating in 2007. Jess

“managed to score a seat

at the National Rural Health

Conference in Albury/Wodonga 2007 and the NURHC just before. Just check

out youtube to see how much fun we had, this probably motivated me to

do what I’m doing now. I was blessed by a CoNS grant to attend the Garma

Festival of Indigenous Culture in Nhulunbuy, NT. The theme of the Key Forum

was ‘Indigenous Health: Real Solutions to a Chronic Problem’, and occurred

as Mr Howard was passing the “Intervention” bill. It sure was heated...

and there was just so much to learn from so many people in the most

spectacular setting amongst the North East Arnhem scrub.

The big events are of course very memorable, but I really enjoyed the

smaller ones like the Allied Health ‘present your profession’ night FURHS

held, and meeting and chatting with students from other Universities

around the country with similar interests and passions.”

Since graduating, Jess “initially, partied a fair bit. Then when I ran out of

money I moved to the Territory to work as an OT. I’ve worked in both the

private and public sector, and still feel like I know nothing. I’m working for

a company who provide all kinds of rehab services for people with motor

accident (the roads can be rough up here) and workplace injuries, as well

as provide assessments all over the top end and Northern WA, which are

contracted out by Centrelink. I’m very lucky to be given the opportunity to

see a lot of the top end with my work, not to mention the rad places I get

to explore on my weekends.”

For current health students, Jess says “do a

rural placement, be spontaneous, network

and make sure you have personal support

mechanisms set up - it can get lonely out

there, get involved with anything that you’re

curious about or interested in within the local

community, volunteer, be yourself and have

fun. It’s all pretty common sense stuff...make

it work for you too..”

NRHSN AlumniAre you about to graduate (or know people who have already graduated )?

Were you involved with your Rural Health Club?

We’re keen to hear from past RHC members to develop

the NRHSN alumni. Our current aims are to:

• Develop an alumni database and membership

• Reconnect alumni members and find out where they are now

• Distribute Cooee! newsletters

• Inspire current students

• Find out from you guys what you want from the NRHSN alumni!

Please visit www.nrhsn.org.au/go/alumni for more information and to fill in your registration form. Also look for the NRHSN alumni group on facebook!

“Being part of the community and part of

it’s health - it’s a good feeling.”

“No two days are ever the same!”

Fishing off the beach at Bare Sand Is. about 50km

West of Darwin. (“I didn’t catch a bloody thing”)

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

The NRHSN was well represented at the recent

SARRAH conference in Yeppoon, where we

were invited to present both a plenary session

and a workshop. Both were very well received

by health professionals and academics, and

generated some very valuable discussions.

We would like to thank SARRAH for making

the students who attended feel welcome, and

very much a part of the discussions during the

conference.

A new Allied Health Clinical Placement

Scholarship (AHCPS) Scheme, funded by the

Department of Health and Aging has recently

been opened. The scheme is open to most

Allied Health disciplines, and assists with

travel, accommodation and living expenses

for students whilst on a rural placement.

This is a wonderful step towards increasing

the opportunities for allied health students

interested in rural and remote health. For

further information www.sarrah.org.au.

We look forward to working with Allied Health

members from clubs right across Australia,

as we work towards completing a number of

projects as the year draws to an end.

Contacted us at alliedhealth@nrhsn.org.au with

any queries – we’d love to hear from you!

The last few months have seen the Medical

Portfolio contribute to a number of policy

documents and areas of interest for the NRHSN,

including the position paper on GP superclinics

and the Rural Health and Hospitals Reform

Commission submission. In addition, we

continue to contribute to the BMP and MRBS

support scheme national advisory committees.

There has been some development in the

creation of a memorandum of understanding

with the Australian Medical Students’

Association. This document is expected to be

formalised in coming weeks. The creation of

this MoU will hopefully strengthen ties and

collaboration between the NRHSN and AMSA.

The John Flynn Placement Program tender

has been re awarded to ACRRM. The NRHSN

is hoping to meet with the JFPP program

manager in coming months to offer assistance

and feedback on the program for 2009.

The medical subcommittee is currently drafting

some recommendations about how the NRHSN

can better represent its members in feeding

information from students back to various

program managers, including JFPP, BMP and

MRBS. This is likely to be a major project in

2009 and anybody with ideas is encouraged to

e-mail them to medical@nrhsn.org.au.

Nursing Portfolio activities have included:

Review and assessment of members’ •applications for Conferences of National

Significance (CoNS) funding to ensure

equitable distribution and responsible

allocation of CoNS funds.

Provision of Nursing perspectives, interests •and presentation of issues concerning

Nursing student members for the NRHSN

Council and other interested groups.

Advice and support for individual Nursing •members within the Network through

email, phone and in person meetings.

NRHSN Nursing members have •attended and presented at peak nursing

professional body National Conferences,

with James Bonello presenting at the

Royal College of Nursing Australia Annual

Conference and Sally Grainger presenting

at the Council for Remote Area Nurses of

Australia conference.

The revised format on Winnows (NRHSN •Nursing sub-group) is expected to come

into action in 2009.

I continue to believe wholeheartedly that we

are very fortunate to belong to such a strong,

growing Network of passionate students,

willing to volunteer time and effort to support

rural health in Australia. nursing@nrhsn.org.au.

Allied Health PortfolioKate Gray & Cristen Fleming, Co-Allied Health representatives

Medical PortfolioLuke Smith,Medical Representative

Nursing PortfolioJames BonelloNursing Representative

ARHENAustralian Rural Health Education Network

Lana Prout

The Australian Rural Health Education Network

(ARHEN) has been around now for 7 years

looking after the numerous University

Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) that

are located across Australia. Each UDRH is

multi-disciplinary and is charged with the

responsibility to increase and improve rural

experience, including training, to encourage

cultural awareness and sensitivity to

Indigenous health issues, for students across

all health disciplines.

ARHEN’s current projects include the Rural

Undergraduate Placement (RUP) Accommodation

Audit, and the UDRH Placements and Student

Satisfaction Project, both of which are supplying

valuable information to the NRHSN Placement

and Scholarship Working Party. ARHEN is also

overseeing the establishment of a Mental Health

Academic at each UDRH.

ARHEN has also produced the informative

magazine ‘Opportunities as vast as the

landscape – working in rural and remote

health’ which details training and career

opportunities available in rural and remote

areas. In addition they have published ‘A Text

Book of Australian Rural Health’ and contribute

regularly to the Journal of Rural and Remote

Health. All of these publications, as well as

additional information about ARHEN including

local contact details, can be accessed from

their website www.arhen.org.au.

National Rural Health AllianceRachel Bourke, NRHA Representative

The National Rural Health Alliance is the

peak body in rural and remote health and

seeks to achieve equal health outcomes for

rural and remote communities in relation

to city dwellers. The NRHA has 28 member

organisations including professional groups,

e.g. Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia

Inc (CRANA); education groups, e.g. Australian

Rural Health Education Network Limited

(ARHEN); consumer groups; health service

providers and of course us.

This impressive scope of representation

ensured that the NRHA CouncilFest attracted a

lot of media attention. See

www.ruralhealth.org.au for some of the media

releases. The good name of the NRHA as a

The NRHSN seeks to represent the views of its

members to the highest level of government.

We know from the views health students

expressed at the National Undergraduate Rural

Health Conference (NURHC) in Launceston

earlier this year and from the views the NRHSN

Council expressed at the recent Council Face-

2-Face meeting, that the key messages you

wanted us to convey are:

Students want positive rural health

experiences. Students want equity in access

to incentives across health disciplines. This

includes Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied

Health and Medicine. Students want to work

in multidisciplinary teams. This is especially

important for our future rural careers.

Rural Health Club Events

For more information on events or to advertise your RHC events please go to www.nrhsn.org.au/go/events. It’s the most viewed section of the website!

The standard of Rural Health Club events has certainly reached a new level in 2008 - congratulations to

everyone who has been invloved in organising these events. Some of our highlights have included: RAW (Rural

Appreciation Weekend), Campfire 08, Cross Cultural Awareness Weekend in Alice Springs, the Hills Hoist series...

stories from our own backyard, Midnight Muster, The Dirt Track... Inspiration for rural health care Conference,

Car maintenance course covering essentials for driving on rural roads, Photo exhibition, Mental Health Events,

Presentation Skills workshops, Close the Gap Day events, rural driving/4wd safety courses, Remote area first aid

training, Bushdances & plenty of multi-D, careers, scholarships, placements and speakers nights.

cooperative organisation that works to achieve

the best outcomes for the people of rural

communities was particularly evident during

discussions with Health Minister Nicola Roxon.

Ms Roxon was interested in the student view

and I was able to speak directly with her about

the 3 issues mentioned above. The NRHSN

invovlement at the NRHA CouncilFest was a

great success with the NRHA Council members

all keen to hear and promote the student

view. After all, we are the future workforce,

educators and consumers for rural Australia!

To ensure rural health issues that affect

students are kept on the agenda, we want to

hear from you!

Please email nrha@nrhsn.org.au

Clockwise Top to Bottom: AURHA, FURHS and ROUSTAH at Campfire 08, SHARP’s Hills Hoist series, RAHMS and other NSW RHCs at RAW, SPINRPHEX &

WAALHIIBE at their Children’s Festival, CARAH at their Cross Cultural Awareness Weekend and HOPE4HEALTH’s Midnight Muster.

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

AURHA:AdelaideUniversity, SA

Jasmine

Banner

ARMS:AustralianNational University, ACT

Yu-Ting

Huang

AWAIRH:La Trobe University, Wondonga VIC

Nicole Anderson

As everyone knows, AWAIRH is

one of the new clubs this year.

We are having some teething

problems at the moment but are

starting to get back on track once

more. We have been running

student poverty dinners once a

month in conjunction with the

campus film club (sponsored by

Unitingcare, and very gratefully

assisted by the Uni Cafe), and

these $3 all-you-can-eat meals

have, as you might guess, been

very well received.

You will notice a blank space

where our logo should be and we

are currently working on rectifying

this! Our intended logo will be

centred on a wedge-tailed eagle

and we should hopefully have

something soon to show for all

our discussions!

We also drummed up some

potential new members at the Uni

open day, with all Allied Health

lecturers sending their potential

students our way. We managed to

get quite a few people interested,

and this may help to grow our

membership next year. As well

as this, we linked in with some

community members who are

interested in giving public lectures

through AWAIRH so this should be

very exciting.

Our NRHSN Senior Rep, Nicole

Anderson, attended the

September face-to-face meeting

and has returned with a great

many ideas as to how we can

really get moving and start getting

stuck into RHSVs and the like.

Highlights in 2008 include the

ARMS Ski Trip to Perisher - 48 Med

students,staff & significant others

enjoyed perfect weather and

snow conditions.

The year 2’s spent a Rural Week in

either Bega, Eurobodalla, Cooma

or Young. Many appreciated

spending time with UC Allied

Health students.

Bega highlights included the

grand rounds with Dr AJ Collins,

time with local communities, a

boat tour of Twofold Bay; joining

in on the new CPR challenge.

Eurobodalla highlights included

plaster-casting with physios, bus

tour, a farm visit; surfing with

the dolphins, a talk about rural

practice with the local surgeon.

Cooma highlights include

interviews for our Projects,

community dinners, an afternoon

of blood pressure, blood glucose

and BMI checks, a trip to Perisher,

and a presentation by the local

emergency services.

Young highlights were great food

and hospital rounds with local

doctors, a plastering clinic, BP

screening.

Upcoming Events include the

ARMS Inaugural Speaker and a Car

Maintenance Course/BBQ.

One of our biggest events for the

year was Campfire – a 2 day forum

on rural health, involving the

three SA rural health clubs AURHA,

FURHS and ROUSTAH.

Held in September immediately

following Vibe Alive, it was

hosted by Nick and Jodi at Pichi

Richi Park, between Quorn and

Port Augusta. It was a beautiful

location and a great opportunity

to meet new people, catch up

with older friends, and network

with other clubs. nestled in and

surrounded by the beginnings of

the Flinders Ranges. Highlights of

the academic program included

insight into the day of an

Aboriginal Health Worker from

three different perspectives, and

an initiative in the APY lands

in far north SA by audiologists.

Also inspirational was ‘Nugga’

Edwards who ran a Men’s Shed

in Port Augusta for retired, aging

men to help fight against mental

illness, and Dr Lian-Lloyd who

spoke about his fight against the

recent SA country health plan. We

had student presentations who

spoke on interesting placements

or research projects in rural /

remote SA. Skills sessions included

massage strapping and a first aid

talk followed by a spin in a real

ambulance!

We’d like to thank everyone

involved for their sponsorship and

support, especially the NRHSN

Education.

We’d like to thank everyone

involved for their sponsorship and

support, especially the NRHSN.

CARAH: Charles Darwin University, NT in assoc. with Flinders Uni, SA

CARAH Health Career Speakers

night at Centre for Remote Health,

Alice Springs. We had 4 speakers

from Alice Springs Hospital talk

about different Nursing careers.

Careers Expo at St Philip’s

College: CARAH had a display

table, guessing competition and

measured students’ pulse rate and

O2 saturation.

CARAH Cross-cultural Awareness

Weekend around 20 participated

in sessions run by Dave and Bess

Price, well-known local cross-

cultural awareness consultants,

AND a visit to the Haasts Bluff

Clinic.

Ti Tree Festival: We’ll be running

sessions for indigenous kids

on plastering & hand hygiene,

food pyrramid and liberal used

of dermatoscopes/ otoscopes/

stethoscopes/ tendon hammers

This is a wonderful opportunity

to have fun with the kids and

promote health careers to them.

BREAATHHE:University ofNewcastle, NSW

Mary Stokes

CRANC: University of Canberra, ACT

Erica Collins

It has been a turbulent first year for

CRANC. We said goodbye to our

founding members (Nick Knowles

and Aleem Khalfan) in April and

have been busy trying to sort out

the administration of the club in

between placement and academic

responsibilities.

We have been trying hard to

recruit lots of new members so

a lot of our activities have been

directed at encouraging new

members to join. We had a stall

at the Semester 2 ‘O’ week and

had a table at the University Open

day in August.

We have sent members on a

couple of Rural High School Visits,

Rosie Walcott went with ARMS to

Bombala and Paul McLucas and

myself went to Eden, Pambula

and Bega with RAHMS. We are

learning heaps about what we can

do on RHSV’s so will be planning

a few of our own toward the end

of this year and the beginning of

2009.

We sent a contingent off to the

Rural Appreciation Weekend

(RAW) in Dunedoo and we are

keen to have these students

come back with a passion for ‘the

bush’. We will get these guys to

put together a report that I can

send to the wider University and

hopefully put in the University

newsletter.

We have members heading to

Coffs Harbour for Deadly Days. I

am quite excited as this will be

our first Indigenous Festival! I am

keen for our delegates to come

back to Canberra with a renewed

vigour for Indigenous health

together with some ‘contagious’

excitement to encourage other

members to attend these

Indigenous Festivals!

We held our first social event for

this semester – a trivia night. We

were fortunate to have a couple

of ARMS members come along

and enjoy the quiz, the food and

the socialising. Hopefully we can

orgnaise another social event

together before the end of the

year.

Apart from that we are all enjoying

the challenges of establishing

a new club! Thanks must go to

all those tireless workers from

the NRHSN who have helped us

through our teething problems, as

well as the guys from ARMS who

have been a great help in getting

us started!

Anna Huigen

Our highly anticipated skills nights

have once again been a success

for the club, our first was aimed

at Medical students and a second

for Allied Health. The two separate

skills nights allowed us to cater

to the differing needs and give

more students practical skills in

suturing, plastering, venepuncture

and canulation.

We opened the year with a harbor

cruise. Where our new members

were introduced to the club and

each other while enjoying the

buffet dinner and dancing.

Our night of BBQ and lawn bowls

was very well received. Members

were able to socialize over a

friendly game of bowls and the

response has been very positive.

The night also saw an influx of

enthusiastic new members joining

BREAATHHE, keen for more of

what we have to offer.

So far 2008 has been a successful

and busy year for BREAATHHE and

we look forward to an equally

successful 2009. Until then we

hope to be able to ‘breaathhe’

easy over summer.

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

FURHS:FlindersUniversity, SA

James Bonello

KRASH:Notre DameUniversity, WA

Kristie Ballagh

The second half of 2008 has been

busy for FURHS members - some

highlights include:

11-12th July 2008 – FURHST Aid

Night: On this cold Adelaide hills

night, FURHS members were

joined by AURHA and ROUSTAH

members for a BBQ and beer.

After this was a skills session

run by the Wilderness Medicine

Institute, with some practical

remote scenarios complete with

fake blood and bandages. Then

the fun began as everybody

relaxed under the stars in front

of the bonfire and settled down

for the night. The next day after

breakfast everybody had a chance

to explore the farm. Overall, the

night was a lot of fun with about

20 members participating and

some even bringing partners and

their children.

29th July 2008 - Multi-Discipline

Evening: Organised with the

GPSN and involving students

with prior health careers running

stands on what happens in the

real world. Stands included Rural

Pathology, Radiology, Speech

Pathology, Pharmacy, Nursing

and Paramedics. The night was

a success with all involved taking

home a new respect for other

disciplines outside their own field.

28-30th August 2008 – Allied

Health Trip to the Riverland: This

trip saw 13 allied health and

nursing students from FURHS and

ROUSTAH head to the Riverland

for two and a half days of both

clinical skills and social activities.

The trip was capped off with

a detour into one of the local

wineries on the way home.

20th September 2008 – FURHS

Masquerade Ball: A great time

was had by about 60 people who

polished off their suits and dresses

to frock up for this annual event.

This year we had a face-painter

on site to make sure that those

who didn’t come with a mask

didn’t miss out. Dale Elliot, a local

guest speaker provided inspiration

about how he dealt with facing

the challenges of quadriplegia.

The night was a great way for

everybody to relax before the fun

and excitement of exams.

members with Specialists and

Physios from Gold Coast Hospital

and our Teddy Bear Hospital

program.

Coming up soon we have our

second annual Midnight Muster

- another fundraiser for The Royal

Flying Doctors Service.

This has been such a short

snippet of the many things

we do…Hope4Health Horizons

Seminar series, Rocky Rural Health

Weekend, Stanthorpe Rural Trip,

Friday Arvo Films, International

Health Group, Hope4Health Golf

Day (another big fundraiser),

Shave for a Cure, Red Party

(AIDS Awareness and yes, more

fundraising!) etc etc…

We can’t wait for another big year

with the NRHSN in 2009!

Being a new club, KRASH has

experienced many challenges

in the last couple of months

and hopefully these have been

overcome and we can move

forward.

We have held a hover craft tour

for recruitment purposes and to

encourage the present members.

The trip showcased the beauty

and historical significance of the

region, we saw dinosaur footprints

naturally preserved into the rocks

saw amazing rock formations and

enjoyed the remote beaches. The

evening ended with nibbles in the

middle of the mud flat of Roebuck

bay (the tide was out) while

watching the sun set. The trip was

a large success raising awareness

of the Kimberley and rural health

as well as KRASH gaining more

members. We have also been

involved in a school visit to one of

the schools in Broome, to promote

health awareness and protect

KRASH onto the community.

HOPE4HEALTH:GriffithUniversity, WA

Lucy Barnett

Hope4Health joined the NRHSN

in July 2008 and it has been a

great adventure so far. We are

based at Griffith University on the

Gold Coast and consist of over

500 members from Medicine,

Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and

other Allied Health Disciplines.

Our club has been very active

since 2006 - when we heard about

the great things the NRHSN does,

we wanted to be a part of it.Then

three of our members attended

NURHC in April. It felt great to say

‘I want to go rural’ and not feel

ashamed – as can happen when

you chat to your urban peers.

Hope4Health gained a lot from

the multi-disciplinary approach

of the NRHSN. It is so nice to feel

our club and members supported

by the executive and council of

the NRHSN....having Felix Ho and

James Bonnello attend our annual

Jazz Dinner Dance – a corporate

fundraising event for The Royal

Flying Doctors Service followed up

by a visit from Linda Nink (with

the massive Induction Kit!).

NRHSN Membership has involved

our members in many additional

activities. In June we attended

our first Indigenous Festival

– Wakakirri in Cunnamulla. Despite

the agonising 11hr bus trip we

had a great time, the Scrubs Relay

a highlight.

More recently we had two

Rural High School Visits. One in

association with Rural Health

Workforce Queensland to Dalby.

We held a second Primary School

Visit to Cherbourg Community,

enhancing our a close relationship

with regular clinical visits for our

LARHC:La TrobeUniversity, VIC

Surabhi

Khosla ,

Alison

Sahhar &

Amy Smith

On the 31st of July, the LARHC

committee held a Winter

Wonderland ball complete with a

sit down dinner and dancing with

many of the 150 guest wearing

‘a touch of winter ’. We were

honoured to have as our guest,

Mr Shannon Nott, Co-Chair of the

NRHSN. It was a huge success,

one we hope to emulate next

year.

Rural High School Visits this year

include trips to Castlemaine,

Echuca and Kyenton by students of

various health disciplines.

Three of our students- Surabhi

Khosla, Julie Gittins and Emily

Jordan were privileged to attend

the 8th National Services for

Australian Rural and Remote Allied

Health Conference in late August.

They gained valuable knowledge

and enjoyed networking with

students and professionals as well

as the workshop organised by the

NRHSN, on scholarships and the

rural placement database.

Dr. Amanda Kenny (Dir. of Health

Sciences, Bendigo) as the guest

speaker in September at La Trobe

University in Bendigo, spoke

about the development of GP

MARHS:Charles SturtUni, Albury, NSW Jenny Barr

The last couple of months have

been typically busy with plenty

going on in Albury. In early August

MARHS ran a cultural awareness

night. On the night we had

great presentations from a local

indigenous social worker and an

aboriginal health worker.

We also heard about the

experiences of MARHS members

who attended the Northern

Territory Rural High School Visit

program and students who

attended the Kullarri Naidoc

festival up in Broome. The night

was a great success and we are

planning to make this night an

annual event.

3 Lucky MARHS students recently

headed up to the SARRAH

conference in sunny Yepoon. We

are looking forward to hearing

about their experiences at our

next meeting, but no doubt a

great time was had.

We also have a busy time ahead

with the MARHS’ Multi-D Bush

Bash Ball scheduled in for the

12th of September, the Rural

Awareness Weekend set for the

labour day long weekend and

Marhs will also be helping out at

the university mental health day

in early October.

Superclinics, which intend to

address the acute shortage of

health care professionals in the

region. Q&A session was followed

by a forum to discuss student

issues on accommodation,

transport etc in Bendigo, which

will be presented in a meeting

with Bendigo council later this

year.

Anton Morrison, Jonathon Oram

& Amy Smith attended the Port

Augusta Vibe Alive Festival.

“We worked in the careers pod,

plastering children’s fingers and

face painting; & in the health

section, we discussed with

children about healthy hearts.

We also enjoyed the kids singing,

dancing and playing basketball.

Overall, it was wonderful

experience and lots of great

memories were created”, divulged

Amy.

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

MIRAGE:University of Sydney, NSW

Robyn Billing

NERCHA:University of New England, NSW

Peta McDonald &

Allese Tansley

The Indigenous Health Forum, hosted by

MIRAGE and USyd Medical Society facilitated by

Julie McCrossin, during National Reconciliation

Week, provided a framework for lively

discussion on ‘The Apology’ and intentions for

closing the gap. Local Cadigal elder, Mr Charles

Madden, gave the official Welcome to meet

and learn on the land of the Cadigal people.

Dr Marlene Kong, a GP and the Medical

Officer for the Australian Indigenous Doctors

Association (AIDA), presented their views

on education as a vital tool in bridging the

gap. Dr Shane Hearn, Senior Lecturer in

Public Health,USyd, spoke on the benefits

of addressing deficits in health-workers,

particularly Aboriginal Healthcare Workers

and the collaborative approaches to ensure

programs are relevant to specific communities.

Dr Sandra Meihubers, a Public Dental Health

Consultant, within Aboriginal Medical Services,

spoke about the “Housing for Health” program.

Horticulturalist and cultural educator Noel

Butler of the Budawang tribe, who conducts

cultural emergence weekends for Medical

students and professionals addressed the issue

of having relevant Indigenous culture as part

of educational curriculum. Noel shared his

family’s story and personal experience of the

stolen generation.

Tom Rubin from USyd spoke about the Poche

Centre for Indigenous Health. The Centre has

the capacity to implement community based

health initiatives and involve students in

research and clinical practice.

NERCHA has had a busy few months spreading

the rural health message among the Armidale

community. In August we held our first Annual

Formal Dinner, bringing together Nursing and

Medical students for an enjoying evening of

extremely entertaining speeches from the

Honourable Mr Richard Torbay, MP for Northern

Tablelands, Assoc.Prof. Jeanne Madison and

Prof. John Fraser. Dr Angie Smith stole the

show with her vocal talents.The dinner was

such a great success that this event will surely

be repeated next year (although the NERCHA

Nurses do hope next year the Med students

will come out and party with them instead of

going back to college to study!).

The recent University Open Day was a huge

event with NERCHA manning a very popular

stall. It was great meeting future health

students and promoting membership of

NERCHA.

A group of NERCHA’s Medical members

represented the club and the university at

this years’ Ag Quip in Gunnedah as well as a

road trip to Port Macquarie where they caught

up with BREEATHHE members, in what was

the first official liaison between members

of JMP from both UNE and Newcastle. The

Medical students were given a tour of the Port

Macquarie base hospital followed by a talk on

self preservation by Dr Mark Stewart. NERCHA

hopes this is one of many events we will host

with BREEATHHE next year.

The first NERCHA executive team, made up

solely of third year nurses, is about to graduate,

and recently resigned from their positions,

handing over the club to a bunch of fresh,

bright, and enthusiastic medical and nursing

students. We wish them the best of luck for the

future, and hope NERCHA only gets bigger and

better.

OUTLOOK:University ofMelbourne, VIC

Joshua Crase

Peta Macdonald

The Outlook and Moovin Health AGM resulted

in an enthusiastic reshuffled committee, new

students on the executive, and the election of

Outlook’s Louise Boyle as NRHSN Junior Rep.

We would like to welcome Dr Helen Malcolm

who takes over co-ordinating Moovin Health

and Outlook from Assoc Prof Graeme Jones,

who along with Di Doyle has done an excellent

job overseeing and supporting the club. Thanks

Graeme for all your help.

Moovin Health released its first Rural Clinical

School Guide for Semester 8 and 9 students,

providing some hints and tips on making the

most of the three Melbourne University sites –

Ballarat, Shepparton and Wangaratta. .

The Rural Careers Weekend hosted by Monash

University in Traralgon during early August

attracted a considerable number of students

from each club. The weekend focused on

General Practice and specialist career pathways

in rural medicine.

Outlook held a successful dinner at Di Mattina’s

restaurant in Carlton for 80 RAMUS, MRBS, BMP

and ERC (Extended Rural Cohort – Melbourne

University’s preferential rural stream) students.

Three students talked about the Rural Clinical

School programs.

The Moovin Health Ball will be held during

late October. Following last year’s successful

masquerade event the students are looking

forward to another exciting and fun-filled

evening! Look out Yahoo Bar and Goulburn

Valley Hotel!

Vibe Alive will be happening in early November

in Mildura and Outlook and Moovin Health will

be sending students. The Indigenous reps from

each clinical and central University site will

coordinate students to attend.

NOMAD:Deakin University, VIC

Cam Hart

Over the past few months the Deakin Rural

Health club has been taking shape. It has been

a slow and obstacle laden journey but it has

been rewarding at the same time. As of the

start of the financial year the club was officially

known as NOMAD (Nursing, OT, Medicine and

Allied Health at Deakin) and a few of our exec

committee positions were filled.

In the past month or so the committee has

been working on our budget and constitution,

this has now been finalised a. Membership

forms have been formatted and sent out to

our prospective members who were recruited

through 5 recruitment drives over the year.

The future is bright, we have an enthusiastic

exec committee and supportive student body.

Plans are in progress and letters drawn up for

our first events and fabulous activities planned

for the remainder 2008.

Our first Rural High School Visits is being

planned for October. We have organised a

heap of fun and slightly educational equipment

and will be distributing course brochures provided

by Deakin’s marketing department. We intend

to run presentation skills workshops, which will

be aimed at improving and refining presentation

skills needed for various events and will be a

requirement of going on a RHSV.

NOMAD, being a new club, is logo-less although

we’re holding a logo competition, open to all

students. The logo must reflect the themes of

rurality, remoteness, health, and the definition of

nomad (to travel in a land that is all home).

Details are yet to be finalized for another upcoming

competition involving students producing short

multimedia presentations around rural health

related issues.

This is the progress of NOMAD to date and we

would like to thank those who have helped us

along the way and we look forward to a great

couple of months now that the club is up and

running.

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

RHINO:James CookUniversity, QLD

Adem Anaa

RHUUWS:University of Western Sydney

Fay Lewer

The start of the semester saw

five RAHMSers travel down to the

South Coast to visit four schools,

enjoying the gorgeous scenery

of Merimbula, Panbula, Eden

and Bega- a very successful and

enjoyable trip.

Another initiative that began this

term is Gold Coin Yoga, raising

money for our chosen charity.

In early August, large numbers of

students trekked off to the Greater

Murray and Mid North Coast to

visit UNSW Rural Clinical Schools,

feedback describing the trip as

very useful and insightful.

A bus load of RAHMS attended

the Vibe Alive in Coonamble,

followed with an Indigenous

Movie Night, providing members

When is the next Rural High

School Visit (RHSV)? . It is a

testament to RHINO’s commitment

and leadership in promoting rural

and remote health initiatives

that we had a constant stream

of hands raised to participate in

wit with questions such as “Name

the RHUUWS mascot?” Answer

“Russ the Roo”

We sent six eager students along

to the Vibe Alive festival in NSW.

They enjoyed meeting the local

kids, reporting drooling enviously

over other clubs shirts.

Upcoming events include a clinical

skills night in October, probably

more BBQs, the Deadly Days

festivals, RAW and a Rural High

School Visit, as well as a couple

of our lucky members heading

off to the NT to join CARAH to

learn about cultural awareness.

Westside represent!

We have just turned the ripe old

age of one and are starting to

achieve the milestones and rites

of passage that we have been

setting ourselves.

The 2008 RHUUWS exec are

working hard to establish their

portfolios and making RHUUWS a

RAHMS:University of NSW, NSW

Hassan Ahmad

with engaging entertainment and

an opportunity to socialise.

Plans in the pipeline include our

second Rural High School Visit to

Gunnedah, the Rural Appreciation

Weekend in early October, a

second Clinical Skills Night, a

beach sports day, drinks at The

Royal, venturing around to Sydney

markets…... all before our major

end of year social event.

RHSV’s, where the experienced

presenters lead the unitiated.

On my first RHSV many of the

group had little experience in

presentations with Mitch Sharrock

setting the bar high in a previous

RHSV. Fortunately, with the

organisational skills of Francine

Riley of Health Careers in The Bush

we may have just raised the bar a

little higher.

A group of pharmacy, physio &

OT students, visited schools in

Mackay, Bowen, and Ayr (with

an unavoidable detour through

AIRLY BEACH). With each new

high school visited, we gained

confidence, enhanced connection

with the students whilst doling

out lollies.

The RHSV was a rewarding

and enlightening experience

for presenters and high school

students where we received

feedback such as “I never gave

much thought to University or

healthcare, but I might give it a go

now…”.

straight forward club to run and a

fun and informative club to join.

Our AGM had a great turnout & all

but one of our exec positions were

filled, enjoyable company, food

and vino completed the success.

Since then, aided by BBQ masters

and sexy fluoro orange aprons,

we’re keeping people aware of

our fab club, its goings on and

making joining as easy possible.

MIRAGE invited us along to their

D’n’R cruise last semester, which

also had great feedback as we

mixed with the Sydney Uni crew.

The first RHUUWS CLUES trivia

night went off! We tested teams’

ROUSTAH:University of South Australia

Renae Strugnell

ROUNDS:Notre DameUniversity, NSW

Since the establishment of

ROUNDS in Semester 2 this year

we have had several planning

meetings about the future

direction of our new club. The

small committee and membership

base are keen to establish RHSVs

and have made some contacts

with school in the Snowy

Mountains region and Bathurst

area of NSW. We are currently

putting together a resource kit

for these future visits and have

identified a contact student rep

and team of interested members

to take part in a RHSV soon.

Another initiative that we hope

to get off the ground soon is a

mentoring program for young

rural students. A group of school

students will be invited to our

university for a day of workshops,

classes and general discussion

with the Notre Dame Medical

students. Following on from this

event, we plan to mentor and stay

in touch with these students in

the coming years. More planning

is needed for this event but its

a great start for our club.

In the July holidays, two students

organised their own rural medical

experience. Both students

independently arranged to visit

Aboriginal communities in the

Northern Territory and shared their

experience with the club on their

return.

As the end of the academic year

is only 10 weeks away, it is our

vision to look towards recruiting

new members in 2009, especially

since we will have a new

group of Medical students and

work towards improving the

profile of rural health amongst

our nursing and Medical students.

We also plan on organising and

attending events in NSW and

around the country.

Annalyse Crane

ROUSTAH’s Executive Committee

has seen the resignation of the

Ingrid Cammatta, President and

Michael Tomic, Treasurer. We

welcome Tahlia Heath (3rd Year

Pharmacy) as President and Ruth

Volgelsang (3rd Year Laboratory

Medicine) as the Treasurer.

We’re excited to introduce the

Rural Doctor’s Workforce Agency

(RDWA) and their administration!

ROUSTAH’s main aim over the last

few months has been to recruit

new members. We held an end of

semester BBQ on June 11th which

was an absolute hit! The use

of SMS to all members and the

flock of posters certainly helped

promote the event. We increased

membership by 50 to 120.We

have developed a powerpoint

presentation to promote ROUSTAH.

Our relationship with AURHA

and FURHS continues to flourish

with numerous tri-club meetings

and great events, including

the Wilderness First Aid night;

the Riverland clinical skills trip

and Campfire. ROUSTAH have

been involved in RHSVs to Clare

& Burra, Whyalla & Pt Augusta

which were very successful.

Member’s thoroughly enjoyed

their involvement in the Vibe Alive

Festival held in Port Augusta.

Six members attended the SARRAH

Conference held in Yeppon QLD in

August. Other students presented

at the Occupational Therapy

Country Forum held in Clare, SA

in September. Here member’s

presented on project’s completed

in the rural SA. A big thanks to all

member’s who did an exceptional

job in presenting!

Next year promises to be an even

more eventful year for ROUSTAH

with relationships progressing

between the University of South

Australia, the RDWA and Rural

Clinical Placements Unit at UniSA,

whether that be a major event or

developing policies and procedures

the possibilities are endless!!

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

SHARP:University of Wollongong

Naomi

Piyaratna

Rustica:University ofTasmania,

Matthew Van Zetten

Although Tasmania has been

notably quieter since the close of

NURHC back in April, Rustica has

been flat out like a Tassie devil

gnawing on a wallaby carcass.

Since the last edition of Cooee, we

have run heaps of events, some of

which are listed below.

May – AGFEST: Tasmania’s premier

rural/agricultural annual festival,

where six Pharmacy and Medical

student members volunteered

in the Pharmaceutical Society of

Australia tent, promoting rural

health careers.

Rustica and IMPACT (UTAS

international health club) held

the annual Elective’s Night at the

Hobart Clinical School. Electives

presented were diverse, from

North-Eastern Tasmania, through

to Broken Hill, the NT, Mongolia,

Peru and more. During the

evening Rustica bursaries and the

AIMED electives database were

also promoted.

July - The Welcome Back Dinner

was based on the very successful

model we used at the start of the

year – cheap meals and free soft

drinks. Providing a great evening,

a start to inter-disciplinary

friendships and opportunities

to network and recruit new

members.

August - Mental Health First Aid

Weekend: 50 members attended

a 2 day course aimed to broaden

participants’ understanding of

how to assist a person developing

a mental health problem or in a

mental health crisis.

Clinical Skills Nights: Once again,

our regular skills night was a

huge success. As well as practical

stations including venipuncture,

and suturing, the event also

served as our launch of the

NRHSN film, Wide Horizons.

Unfortunately, unlike some other

clubs, we did not provide popcorn

at the viewing, due to concerns

over mess in our lecture theatre.

We have an action packed finish

to 2008 planned including:

2 half day Kayaking Trips •

which will include Aboriginal

cultural talks

A week-long cultural trip to •

Flinders Island in October

Sending 12 members to •

the Vibe Alive festival in

Rockhampton in November

RHSV’s throughout the •

semester.

October -RAW 2008 A small bus

load of SHARP members will be

attending this great event where

they will experience slice of living

in rural Australia with students of

other RHC’s.

Anxiety and Depression

Awareness Month and World

Mental Health Day (10th October)

SHARP will be facilitating a range

of displays and workshops during

the week including a Speaker

Afternoon with representatives

from Beyond Blue and the

University Recreation Centre.

Deadly Days –SHARP members

will be getting involved at both

the Coffs Harbour and Taree

Festivals by promoting health

careers and healthy lifestyles

with a range of interactive expos

reinforcing a positive and healthy

lifestyle. SHARP will also be

attending the Rockhampton Vibe

Alive Festival.

July: Members of SHARP

volunteered at the 23rd Annual

Police Charity Ball, selling balloons

as part of the fundraising effort

towards Haematology/Leukemia

Research and NSW Police Legacy.

August: SHARP launched Wide

Horizons in style, complete with

free fairy floss, popcorn, BBQ

and DVD for a large number of

students from various disciplines

and staff from the Faculty of

Health Sciences, attracting local

media coverage and several new

members for SHARP.

Rockin Rural Road Trip to Griffith.

This trip was jam packed! Students

participated in visits to rural

Medical and/or Primary Health

Care centers and gave the SHARP

members an insight into the daily

life of health practitioners working

in the bush.

The trip included visits to;

Narrandera District Hospital,

Narrandera Medical Centre, Palm

Avenue Surgery, Murrumbidgee

Medical and Primary Care Centre,

and, Griffith Base hospital.

Students were also treated to a

BBQ lunch at Mountford Park in

Leeton (sponsored by Rotary) and

an evening welcome reception at

Griffith Regional Theatre.

Six members from SHARP joined

forces with RHUUWS and RAHMS

for the bus journey to the

Coonamble ‘Vibe Alive’. UOW

students helped with ‘plastering’

children’s arms, wrists and fingers.

SPINRPHEX:University of WA

Tashunka

Taylor-Miller

TEHC:Charles DarwinUniversity, NT

Therese Humphrys

We had a great start to second

semester with our conference,

“Dirt Tracks – Roads to Rural

Health”, a joint event with

WAALHIIBE, held at Notre Dame

in August. The keynote speakers,

workshops, venue and catering

were all fantastic and we had

good attendance from members

studying many different health

disciplines. The speakers had an

amazing variety of experiences

to share of their journeys both in

Australia and overseas, and their

times in rural Australia that make

you consider not “why” go rural,

but “why not?”

We’ve also gone on RHSV to

Geraldton and Bunbury. This

year SPINRPHEX committee

made a decision to only send

Nursing students to these

visits, as we wanted to increase

their involvement in the club’s

activities and the committee.

These have been joint ventures

with WAALHIIBE to encourage

interdisciplinary & inter-club

mingling.

Other events to report on are

our “Talk to a Mate” Mental

Health Workshops and a further 3

workshops, co-hosted by Lifeline

and Wheatbelt Men’s Health,

giving us an opportunity to talk

with year 11 and 12 high school

students, about mental health

issues.

Our annual Children’s Festival,

will involve 50 members taking

the bus to Moora on the weekend

of their hockey grand final with

face painting and kite making

activities.Saturday night is a

chance to discover the night life

of Moora, and on Sunday a farm

visit before returning back to Perth

in the afternoon. This should be a

really fun weekend for members

and local kid’s alike.

We are purchasing a “Gutsy Gus”

anatomical model to be used at

RHSV, Children’s Festivals and

Indigenous festivals as an aid for

discussions with the children.

August was a ripper month

at TEHC. The engaging guest

speaker at our BBQ, Bhavani

Patel spoke on the Indigenous

health experience in an unfamiliar

Medical world, involving the big

crowd, and getting new members

on board!

Free seminars on Aboriginal

Community Controlled Health

Services, a camping trip to

Gunbalunya and the Oenpelli Open

Day in the spectacular Arnhem

Land. Amazing scenery, bush

tucker, dancing, art, local tours

of incredible rock art, dreamtime

stories, local films, live bands, and

the footy grand final.

A TEHC stand at the Uni Health

Day raised our club profile.

Another BBQ and guest speaker

day with Steve Scov chatting

about his amazing life history

and opportunities working in

the Territory. A long time doctor

with lots of remote experience,

flying doctors, alcohol and other

drugs, centre for disease control,

sexual health, and currently

acting chief minister for health in

the NT who is passionate about

Public Health. A fantastic seminar

attended by three members on

Bridging the Cultural Divide by,

Richard Trudgen, with his Yolngu

colleagues. One of the most

in depth and fascinating eye

openers to Yolngu Indigenous

culture, communication problems

and most importantly solutions.

More members are attending

a free seminar on responding

to Child Abuse & Creating Child

Safe Spaces for Nurses and other

health professionals. To top off a

great six months, an end of year

recruitment drive party is being

planned with other clubs at CDU

and a RHSV to finish a great 2008.

C o o e e ! O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

TROHPIQ:University of Queensland,QLD

Alicia Lorenz

WAALHIIBE:Curtin Uni & Edith Cowan, WA

Joan Kelly

Things have been bubbling along fairly quietly

at TROHPIQ in the last month or so. Our annual

trip to the Cherboug community – an old

aboriginal mission camp – was again a success,

being an eye opening experience for many

city based students. Some of our Allied Health

members have also just attended the SARRAH

conference.

We are working on a new club logo, to be

launched in 2009, that we believe portrays

a more professional look than our previous

(though much loved) logo of Gus, the brightly

coloured dancing goanna.

WAALHIIBE and SPINRPHEX held a rural

health conference at Notre Dame University,

Fremantle on the 16th August. Speakers

included John Bowler (Kalgoorlie MP), Amy

Hollins (Occupational Therapy & Aboriginal

Health Promotion), Alissa Jacobs (Rural

Dentistry), Claire Willix & Alexandra Balzarelli

(RCS Doctors), Joanne Connaughton (North

West Physiotherapist) and Christopher

Cliffe (Red Cross & CRANA). In between the

passionate speakers, delegates actively

engaged in workshops such as learning

Maketon sign language, pregnancy and oral

health, yoga nidra, physiotherapy skills and

Indigenous Health and Heart Foundation. A

big thank you to the sponsors, speakers and

workshop facilitators for making this successful

conference possible.

Geraldton Rural High School Visit - In late

August four enthusiastic WAALHIIBE members

headed 4 ½ hours drive north of Perth to

participate in the annual careers expo for year

10 students at Geraldton Grammar High School.

Our aim was to give the students an idea of uni

life, particularly the move from country areas

to the city, as well as promoting Allied Health

career options. We were fortunate to have a

local in our WAALHIIBE ranks, who provided

good insight into the move from Geraldton to

Perth and making the most of uni life. Many

students were keen to try out some of the

equipment we took along, particularly the

thickened fluids with some brave souls having

a taste. It was also great to see many Allied

Health professionals from the region promoting

their profession and sharing their enthusiasm

for rural health at the event.

Wokka Wokka - Overall Winner - Phoebe Bulla

Amooguna One Teacher School, N.T

Upcoming events:

• TROHPIQ formal dinner – We always have a rurally minded

guest speaker, and this year outspoken and controversial

politician Bob Katter will surely raise some interesting

points for discussion! This is also where we announce

the winners of the Wokka Wokka award – our photography

competition.

• Rural careers night - a new initaitive.

• Planning day – organising next year’s calendar.

• The AGM and handover.

WARRIAHS:Charles SturtUniversity, NSW

Lauren Frieze

WILDFIRE:MonashUniversity, VIC

Samantha

Buchholz

Lauren and Bronwyn attended the

NRHSN Face to Face meeting in

Melbourne in September.

Last term, two of our members,

Lloyd Smith and Samuel Ledger

went over to the Asia-Pacific

Pharmaceutical Symposium

in Khon Kaen, Thailand which

involved seminars on different

aspects of pharmacy practise,

leadership, school visits and

counselling.

Students with interesting clinical

experiences from WARRIAHS,

CRANC and MARHS to share their

stories with a student audience.

This (we hope) will encourage

other students to pursue different

options whether it be rural,

indigenous or worldwide.

WARRIAHS has set a date for

WILDFIRE’s membership base

currently stands at more than 400

members with 8 subcommittees

located across Victoria.

WILDFIRE celebrated its 15th

Birthday this year, dedicating a

week to celebrations in traditional

15th Anniversary style, themed

“Crystal Week”.

our paintballing day for up to 40

people early next term in Albury!

It should be a great day with

pizza, bruises and laughs. I should

note, girls get protection, guys

don’t!

Our AGM is going to be a blast!

The night is going to be hosted

very differently with different

voting systems, encouraging

speeches from our hard working

board members and many more

positions available on board and

committee.

This year instead of having a BBQ

we are hoping to get sponsorship

(by way of food) from Subway.

We’re organising to attend the

Wollongbar Deadly Days Festival,

with the help of advertising to our

willing members!

NRHSN PHOTO COMPETITION $200 prize for winning photo!

Have you got amazing photos that you think would look

great as the new NRHSN website baner? We’re looking for

landscapes and photos of rural and remote Australia and

images that show NRHSN/Rural Health Club members at

work and play to help us freshen up the look of

www.nrhsn.org.au. The photo slected for the home page

banner will be awarded the $200 prize.

Email high resolution photos to linda@nrhsn.org.au.

Competition closes 16 November.

Ken Noda’s winning photo from the NURHC 08 photo comp

WILDFIRE has been involved in

numerous events including but not

limited to:

Matthew Campbell Memorial •

Evening

WILDFIRE/OUTLOOK Rural •

Medical Careers Weekend

Allied Health Night (Beach •

Theme)

2008 Rural Road Trip •

Rural High School Visits•

FIREFRONT (club magazine) •

2007 Annual Report Release•

Trivia Nights •

Upcoming events include: AGM

2009 Council and Sub-committee

elections, Handover, Mildura Vibe

Alive and RHSVs.

the

futu

re o

f rura

l he

alth

National Rural Health Students’ Network c/o RHWA PO Box 6244 South Yarra Vic 3141 Australia

www.nrhsn.org.au

Telephone 03 8825 4500 Facsimile 03 9804 7370 Email info@nrhn.org.au

28

2522

5

2 7 19 26

10 1514 27

20

111 6

13

18

2112

164

824

17

23

9

NRHSN Rural Health Clubs

1 ARMS Australian National University, ACT

2 AURHA Adelaide University, SA

3 AWAIRH La Trobe University, Wodonga, VIC

4 BREAATHHE University of Newcastle, NSW

5 CARAH Charles Darwin University, NT in association

with Flinders University, SA

6 CRANC University of Canberra, ACT

7 FURHS Flinders University, SA

8 HOPE4HEALTH Griffith University, QLD

9 KRASH Notre Dame University, Broome, WA

10 LARHC La Trobe University, Bendigo VIC

11 MARHS Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW

12 MIRAGE University of Sydney, NSW

13 NERCHA University of New England, NSW

14 NOMAD Deakin University, VIC

15 Outlook University of Melbourne, VIC

16 RAHMS University of New South Wales, NSW

17 RHINO James Cook University, QLD

18 RHUUWS University of Western Sydney, NSW

19 ROUSTAH University of South Australia, SA

20 Rustica University of Tasmania, TAS

21 SHARP University of Wollongong, NSW

22 SPINRPHEX University of Western Australia, WA

23 TEHC Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT

24 TROHPIQ University of Queensland, QLD

25 WAALHIIBE Curtin University and Edith Cowan University, WA

26 WARRIAHS Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW

27 WILDFIRE Monash University, VIC

3

28 ROUNDS Notre Dame University, Sydney, NSW

28

If you would like to recieve additional copies of the Cowpat, the Rural Placements Guide or

the Wide Horizons DVD please email us at info@nrhsn.org.au

Photo courtesy of Andrew Bullen, Kazu Pearl Farm,Thursday Is.TROPHIQ Photo Competition - Rural Lifestyle Category winner

Quiz A

nswers

1.Thirteen 2.Tasmania 3.1996 4.Sally G

rainger 5.CARA

H

6.An airline strike postponed N

URH

C 7.Nine 8.Victoria

9.Wide H

orizons: Health Students G

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n 10.139.317