University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health

Dear Jenny May,

As you step into your new role as Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner, we are filled with immense pride and admiration. Your 20 years of unwavering dedication to the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health have left an indelible mark on rural healthcare. While we will dearly miss you—your colleagues, students, and the countless community members whose lives you’ve touched—we are thrilled to see your extraordinary contributions recognised at the national level.

Your leadership as the Director of our Department and as the inaugural Betty Josephine Fyffe Chair in Rural Health has truly transformed the landscape of rural health education. You’ve been a relentless advocate for the "gain, train, retain" model, ensuring that rural communities are not only served but supported by a well-trained, committed workforce. Your influence reaches far beyond the classroom, as your visionary work in policy and advocacy continues to shape the future of rural health across Australia.

The legacy of your work will be felt for generations, and we eagerly anticipate the positive changes you will drive in your new role. Your passion, vision, and expertise will continue to inspire us all.

As we bid you farewell today, we send you off with our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your work family at the Department of Rural Health, along with the communities you’ve so profoundly impacted, wish you nothing but the best in this exciting new chapter.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes,

Your Work Family at the Department of Rural Health,
Your Communities & Beyond 💙

Dear Jenny,

As you step into your new role as Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner, we are filled with immense pride and admiration. Your 20 years of unwavering dedication to the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health have left an indelible mark on rural healthcare. While we will dearly miss you—your colleagues, students, and the countless community members whose lives you’ve touched—we are thrilled to see your extraordinary contributions recognized at the national level.

Your leadership as the Director of our Department and as the inaugural Betty Josephine Fyffe Chair in Rural Health has truly transformed the landscape of rural health education. You’ve been a relentless advocate for the "grow, train, retain" model, ensuring that rural communities are not only served but supported by a well-trained, committed workforce. Your influence reaches far beyond the classroom, as your visionary work in policy and advocacy continues to shape the future of rural health across Australia.

The legacy of your work will be felt for generations, and we eagerly anticipate the positive changes you will drive in your new role. Your passion, vision, and expertise will continue to inspire us all.

As we bid you farewell today, we send you off with our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your work family at the Department of Rural Health, along with the communities you’ve so profoundly impacted, wish you nothing but the best in this exciting new chapter.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes,

Your Work Family at the Department of Rural Health,
Your Communities & Beyond 💙

🌟 Port Macquarie Yearlong Students from Nutrition & Dietetics and Physiotherapy! 🌊 Exploring all the coastline has to offer—from strawberry picking 🍓 and tennis matches 🎾 to grabbing gelato 🍨 to celebrate placement milestones! Coastal walks, sunrise run clubs 🌅, beachside picnics 🧺, and so much more!

Look at this drool-worthy spread 😍 created by two of our Nutrition & Dietetics students who are making the most of their placement having a picnic on a headland at 📍Coffs Harbour📍

Want to score some of our awesome merch, like this eco-friendly recycled bento box (aka THE ultimate picnic essential)? Drop us a message! 👋 💬

Griffith University Nutrition & Dietetics students on placement with us in 📍Moree📍 Jessee and Charlotte attended the Jelly Beanz Playgroup for Aboriginal Mums, Bubs and Kiddies this week. They Yarned with the mums and dads and made Bliss balls that were a good source of fibre and protein as well as lunchbox friendly (allergen free).

🎉 Exciting times at the Dietitian Australia conference! Our very own Dr. Susan Heaney (Academic Team Leader on the coast), Dr. Leanne Brown (Deputy Director, Department of Rural Health), and Dr. Lesley MacDonald-Wicks (Head of Discipline, Nutrition & Dietetics) presented their insightful research on the career journeys of University of Newcastle Nutrition & Dietetics graduates.

As the University of Newcastle celebrates 30 years of N&D, this study offers a fantastic opportunity for our alumni to reconnect and reflect on their professional paths. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Check out Leanne, Susan, and some of our amazing UON staff and graduates who attended the conference. 💚

Reliving the adrenaline rush from Saturday... 🎯 14 of our fierce Year 3, 4, and 5 Medicine students took the battlefield in an epic paintball showdown. Friends, fun, and fierce competition—what a day to remember!

Applications for the much anticipated THIRD and FINAL road trip for 2024 are now open!

Apply now for your chance to join the final Go Rural trip of the year and explore the beautiful north coast of NSW, all the way to the stunning Tweed Heads, with plenty of stops on the way up and back. We have a PACKED itinerary featuring some inspiring speakers, amazing facilities and plenty of opportunities to connect with local communities and potential future colleagues.

This trip is open to first- and second-year medical students, and ANY YEAR nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, or allied health students, but get in quick as only 20 positions are available!

These trips provide an amazing opportunity to experience some of the wonderful communities of rural, regional and remote NSW and make connections with potential future colleagues!

Applications close 26 August at 8am.

Read more about Go Rural and apply now: https://loom.ly/Oi_MnPk



.mq .une

🌅 Yesterday, a tour and yarning session was arranged on behalf of the THURRU Team and the Indigenous Health Pathway students. University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health students had the opportunity to visit the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS).

A massive thank you to TAMS for hosting and for taking the time to share insights on the vital roles of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health (ACCHO), Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS), and our role with our students undertaking rural placements.

It was wonderful to see the DRH, THURRU & TAMS all collaborate and connect and connect our students with local community health services, fostering stronger ties between staff, students, and the community. ✨

We warmly invite colleagues, partners & community to the David Maddison Memorial Lecture being held in Tamworth on Thursday, 29 August 2024.

This biennial lecture honours Professor David Maddison, the visionary Foundation Dean of Newcastle Medical School. His pioneering approach to medical education continues to inspire, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Maddison, remains a close friend of the University.

This year’s lecture, Reimagining the Future of Rural Health, will be delivered by Professor Jenny May AM, Director of the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health and newly appointed National Rural Health Commissioner. This will be her final engagement for the University before taking on her new role.

Date: Thursday, 29 August 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health Building, Tamworth Hospital, Dean St, North Tamworth (Carpark A Entrance)
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/david-maddison-memorial-lecture-tickets-924979637997

We hope to see you there

We love showing off our beautiful rural homes to students from near and far!

"As new comers to Port Macquarie from the Gold Coast we are both absolutely loving the town here and are getting the most out of it by having lots of fun and immersing ourselves in the community - Bec and Stacey" 4th year N&D students

We recently hosted an amazing Mid-Year Wellbeing event at our Port Macquarie campus! It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to check in, debrief, learn, and drum it all out! 🥁✨

Huge thanks to Jo from Windaan and Nate from Safe Guards for creating such a beautiful and enriching afternoon together. 💛

✨ Celebrating Women in Medicine Networking Dinner ✨

ATTN MED STUDENTS! You're invited to an evening of empowerment and connection at the Tudor Hotel, Tamworth! Whether you're a GP, student, resident, clinician, or registrar, you're welcome to share your journey and network with inspiring women in medicine. 🌟

📅 Date: Wednesday, 21st August
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Venue: Tudor Hotel, Tamworth

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your professional ties and support each other in the medical field. For more info or to RSVP, email [email protected]. 💗

AUTUMN IN ARMIDALE...😍 🍁 🍃 captured by Ella, Nutrition & Dietetics Student whilst on placement...

🛠️ Our OT Students in Action! 🛠️

Check out our dedicated OT students in Coffs Harbour as they get hands-on experience measuring arm pressure for garments used to help patients with lymphedema. We're so proud of their hard work and commitment to making a difference! 💪✨

Our Department of Rural Health proudly sponsored these students to attend the ! 🎉 The theme was all about and , perfect for these future healthcare heroes! 🩺✨ We hope they left feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to set their goals into motion. 🚀 Can't wait to see them at University of Newcastle and in our local health services one day! 🙌💙

Some of our dietetics and physio students on placement having a coffee after a sunrise run!... Living the dream! 🏃 ☀️ 🌊 ☕

📸

Applications are OPEN for the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships and the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships for Indigenous Medical Students.

, on behalf of , is offering 48 cadetships to interested in undertaking a medical career in rural NSW.

Successful applicants receive:
- Up to $15,000 per year in the final two years of their medical degree and agree to undertake two of the first three years of their hospital training in an eligible rural - NSW hospital in return
- A relocation grant when moving to a rural location
- Ongoing mentoring and support through RDN
- Subsidised attendance at RDN conferences and the annual RDN cadet weekend trips

For more details and to apply, visit RDN’s website: https://www.nswrdn.com.au/site/cadetship
Applications close 5 August at 9am.

👕 Check out these amazing student hoodies from our collaboration with Mon Hope Design 😍

Want one? It's easy! If you're a current student create some awesome video content and send it to marketing through the submission link in our bio 🔗 (channel your inner tiktokker & do something epic, or share a Q&A about your discipline or rural placements... or even give us a day in the life!)

OR enter our monthly prize draw for a chance to win awesome merch like this hoodie! Students, just tag us in your social posts or submit your content via the link.

So you want to apply or register your rural health placement, but unsure how? It's easy, jump onto the link in our bio & visit our Placement Portal 🏡 newcastle.edu.au/drh-placements to register & apply (you don’t have to be a Newcastle uni student either)!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We're here to help you every step of the way. 🤝 💬

🌮✨ It's TACO TUESDAY in Coffs Harbour! Our students spiced things up with a Mexican night, complete with delicious tacos and vibrant festivities. 🌶️🎉

🚀 Check out our students in Port Macquarie! 🌟 They spent their Saturday evening at the local Centre of Gravity, Indoor Rock Climbing & Laser Tag, Port Macquarie having a blast with rock climbing and laser tag! 🧗‍♂️🔫

As part of the NAIDOC week festivities in 📍Moree, the Dhiiyaan Centre showcased recipes inspired by its Elder's Cookbook "Curry for a Murri in a Hurry". Aunt Paula, Alisa, Raquel and Renaye handed out samples of delicious, curried sausages, curried chicken and savoury mince to the community.

📚 The recipe book is an ongoing student project for Nutrition & Dietetics students on Community and Public Health Nutrition placement.

🌟 Our DRH students Daniel, Joshua, Kiara, Johan, Adam, Amy, Grace, Georgia & Milla have left their mark in📍Inverell! Recently, they celebrated the end of their placement by channeling reflections into stunning artworks - artworks that will now be hung in the local accommodation for future students to enjoy. Guided by the talented Hollie Lee, this group reflective art process was an absolute joy! 🖌️✨

⛳️ Some of our Coffs Harbour year-long students hit the greens last weekend for mini golf at The Big Banana Fun Park ! 🍌 Even repping our awesome merch! 😎

Students, don't forget to tag us or send your photos/videos to enter our MONTHLY MERCH DRAW! 📸 🎁 (you can be entered multiple times!!)

SPOTTED ON THE FRONT PAGE 👀

Born in Gunnedah and raised in Muswellbrook, DRH Alumni Dr. Rachel Henderson completed her placement at University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health Tamworth Education Centre and now works as a GP at Peel Health Care Centre. She chose to stay in Tamworth due to the great training environment and strong local network.

Dr. Henderson’s story highlights a trend of medical students staying in regional areas post-study. Our rural health program at the DRH creates "positive rural exposure" to encourage this. Professor Jenny May, Director of the DRH, explains, "What we are doing is dropping them here and providing them with the best experience possible."

We love hearing about our alumni - please share your story with us! Alumni are also welcome to join our new student & alumni Facebook group, to join visit the link in our bio 🔗

Read more: https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/8657670/why-medical-students-are-choosing-rural-careers-in-australia/

At the end of May, 11 of our 12 Hunter New England OT students joined local OTs at our Tamworth Education Centre for the Beyond The Cushion Education Day! 🌟 This in-depth event focused on pressure care and was run by Hunter New England Health OTs with support from us at the DRH.

👏 It was fantastic to see our students so engaged in learning this crucial subject. Gaining insights from experienced OTs will greatly enhance their future practice.

A deeply moving day at the Myall Creek Memorial Site not too far from our 📍 Inverell office, where we acknowledged reconciliation. Inverell students on placement were guided through the site by Kelvin Brown, an Elder of the Anaiwan people of the Gamilaraay nation. Together, we commemorated the unprovoked massacre of at least 28 Wirrayaraay women, children, and elders on Myall Creek Station in 1838.