Congratulations to Professor Debra Nestel, who has been elected to the Board of Simulation Australia.

The staff in Bendigo are a talented group, but we were all stunned by the amazing skill and creativity on display at the first ‘Off Ramp Creations’ exhibition held at the School of Rural Health in Bendigo this month.

Bendigo staff were invited to showcase their artistic and creative talents during a two-week exhibition. Paintings, jewellery, poetry, children’s books, masks, textile collage, candles, tapestry, long stitch, cross stitch, a streetscape diorama, ceramics, quilting, knitting, beading, a coffee table, gift cards and crotchet ‘bombing’ decorated the foyer.

At the closing of the exhibition, a number of donated art and craft pieces were auctioned. There was fierce competition for all the items, but the most hotly contested item was the painting “Platypus at Play” by Regional Manager, Kerrie Thomsen.  The final winning bid for the painting, along with all the proceeds of the other auction items and gold coin donations raised $425.00 for St Luke’s Anglicare. St Luke’s assists children, young people, adults and families to make positive change in their lives and to be connected and contribute to their community.

The organising committee and Bendigo staff would also especially like to thank the family of Kay Togno for generously allowing us to display Kay’s beautiful art during the exhibition.  Kay was a long time Monash Bendigo employee who died 2 years ago in October 2011.

Belinda O'Sullivan

Belinda O’Sullivan is a PhD Candidate – specialist outreach workforce.

Describe your job/role

I recently joined the Office of Research, (enrolled in a PhD through the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine at the Alfred) to study the specialist outreach workforce in Australia. With a background of public health workforce training and development, and following a family move to Bendigo, I decided to take the opportunity to develop workforce research skills that are increasingly needed to complement policy roles.

Why is it important?

My research will use the MABEL study (Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life) to study the supply and sustainability of specialist outreach in Australia. It is recognised nationally that specialist outreach is a historically relevant and growing field of practice which has been endorsed in national rural health strategy. A Parliamentary Inquiry has concluded that outreach will continue to be a legitimate part of the overall mix of rural health services.

Australia is a unique example of a nation that has had a sustained national outreach policy for more than ten years, the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP). What is lacking though is information about the workforce dynamics, motivations and the supply and continuity of practice of specialists that do outreach. Gaining a national perspective will assist in ensuring that policy is in sync with the workforce and we understand the different drivers.

What is the best aspect of your work with the School of Rural Health?

Working in the School of Rural Health has provided me with unique opportunities to work with others studying the health workforce and to gain a broader perspective of the range of other work being done to inform sustainable primary care in rural and remote areas. The breadth and quality of research being done here, and the team approach, continues to inspire me.

When you are not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

When I am not at work, I enjoy family time and catching up on ABC shows through iView.

What was your most recent holiday destination and why did you choose it?

My most recent holiday was on Rottnest Island where I have been once every decade since 1993, (when I worked in the fish and chip shop over summer). It has been interesting to see the change, or lack thereof, on the island.

Surprise us! What is something about you that most of your peers would not know?

I am one of seven children; we all get along and the in-laws fit right in too, but watch the noise level when we all get together!

Sonya Steve

Your name and position

Sonya Steve, Program Administrator, Year 4 and Manager Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre, Bendigo

Describe your job/role

Half of my role is to coordinate the program for the Year 4 Medical Students, including their tutorials, hospital placements, and hub placements for GP rotations; the other half is job share managing the newly completed CSSC, all very exciting.

Why is it important?

Both roles are important to the students. It is essential we maximise their learning capacity within all the teaching facilities, so ensuring their schedules are accurate and fulfilling is the challenging task!

What is the best aspect of your work with the School of Rural Health?

Assisting our students through their journey of becoming health professionals and seeing them return as registered medical practitioners ready to serve the community is the best!

When you are not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with my family and friends, book club, kids sport, ceramics, watching movies and dancing.

What was your most recent holiday destination and why did you choose it?

Queensland – totally a kids’ indulgence trip!

If you were Emperor for a day, what is one thing you would implement?

World peace!

Surprise us! What is something about you that most of your peers would not know?

I do calligraphy writing including certificates, wedding invitations and place cards etc.

Mark Heald has left Mildura Regional Clinical School to resume a more hands-on role with Sunraysia Community Health, in the Drug & Alcohol counselling area.

Terri Mathot

Your name and position

Terri Mathot, Administrative Officer, Rural Education Program, School of Rural Health (Clayton Campus)

Describe your job/role

My role is quite varied and never dull. I liaise with all the Regional Clinical School sites in the administration of the MBBS program Years 1 – 5D, but particularly in relation to the Year 2 Rural Placement Program. As well I help coordinate the Year 1 Introduction to Rural Health Program which is implemented at Monash University, Clayton. I am executive support to a number of committees and working groups and have taken on a project management role in the organising of SRH activities for Monash Open Day 2013. I deal with student inquiries and arrange any finance claims for reimbursement, etc. I also work collaboratively with WILDFIRE students and help out in a variety of ways with different events and finance needs. I work closely with Laura Major, Manager Rural Education Program (SRH) doing whatever I can to ensure the SRH office in Clayton is running smoothly.

Why is it important?

Where do I start … I believe this position plays an integral role in the Rural Education Program office within the SRH. I provide advice not only to MBBS students but also to central MBBS staff on issues relating to rural placements as well as having responsibility for providing expert advice to our rural student club WILDFIRE. I believe it’s also important to be able to continue to raise awareness of rural health issues amongst the students who don’t have a good understanding of the issues facing rural Australians when it comes to healthcare.

What is the best aspect of your work with the School of Rural Health?

I think the best part of the job is dealing with the students and of course the staff. Everyone I deal with has welcomed me and made me feel part of the team and have most importantly valued my opinion and shown me respect. I can’t remember enjoying coming to work so much throughout my career. I have also grown to have a real passion for rural health!

When you are not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

I have recently re-married so I am really enjoying starting the next chapter of my life with my husband and his family. Our weekends are always full seeing our grandchildren and we both love cooking special meals for family and friends.

What was your most recent holiday destination and why did you choose it?

My husband and I went to Cairns for our honeymoon as we both love the warm weather and the beach. We stayed at a beautiful resort and just enjoyed the good weather, great food and of course the wine…

If you were Emperor for a day, what is one thing you would implement?

Hmmm, I suppose I would like to see all unemployed people able to secure a job to alleviate the financial stresses. I would also want day light savings all year round or at least more daylight hours. I hate getting home in the dark.

Surprise us! What is something about you that most of your peers would not know?

I was asked to be in the Miss Victoria Quest as a teenager. My mum couldn’t afford all the dresses for me to officially be part of the competition but I raised a lot of the money for the Spastic Society at the time. I am a mother of three beautiful grown daughters who are all independent and have great careers. I just found out that I am going to be grandmother again!

The first view of Mt. Sonder, from Counts Point.

Year 3 Academic Administration officer at Mildura Regional Clinical School, Kate Murdoch, decided on a unique way to celebrate her 50^th birthday recently.

Kate and husband Ralf joined a group on a trek of about 230 km along the Larapinta trail in Australia’s red centre.

The Larapinta trail winds its way along the western end of the MacDonnell Ranges ending with a climb onto Mt Sonder, the fourth highest peak in the Northern Territory.

Kate and Ralf and the group passed along rocky ridges and dry sandy creek beds, visiting iconic landmarks such as Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm, Ormiston Pound and Glen Helen Gorge.

The trail is named after the local Aboriginal name for the Finke River, which is one of the world’s oldest rivers having run the same course for more than 350 million years.  Larapinta means brackish/salty water – and it is.

There were eight walkers in the group and they were warned on the first day that no section of the trail is easy, which according to Kate proved to be an understatement. The trail is made up of 12 sections some of which are completed over two days.

Kate completed 11 of the 12 sections (15 out of 16 days of walking) and says: “You have to leave something for next time.”

Highlights of the trek for Kate were the first view of Mt Sonder from Counts Point, getting up at 2:00am to climb Mt Sonder to view the sunrise, and not having any phone contact for 16 days!

And would she do it again? You bet.

Elaine Evans and David Birks celebrate their ‘hard labor’ with the School of Rural Health.

Gippsland Regional Clinical School Manager Elaine Evans celebrated a significant anniversary recently, with a surprise morning tea to mark the 20 years since she started at the School of Rural Health.

Elaine was joined by local surgeon and senior lecturer David Birks and Pharmacy Lecturer Anne Leversha, who have also been associated with the School since the very early days of its inception. Elaine’s fellow staff members at Gippsland put on the morning tea to mark Elaine’s two decades of service.

Elaine joined the then Centre for Rural Health when it was based in the tiny office in the former Moe Hospital, where MUDRIH is now based.

A number of her long term colleagues as well as current staff members were on hand to congratulate Elaine … and yes, she was surprised!

Bake-off winners are (L-R) Andrew Moon accepted for Sarah Moon, Bernadette Ward and David Russell.

Research staff held a Bake Off in aid of an annual June fundraiser, ‘Give Me 5 For Kids!’ staged by local radio station 93.5 3BO.

Each year the event raises funds for Bendigo Health’s paediatric ward to buy much needed equipment that assists in helping seriously ill children. All money raised locally, stays local.

The Research office enticed 11 budding bakers to make their specialty for staff morning tea.  Each cake and slice was put to the taste test and votes were placed.

The entrants provided an array of cakes and slices that would rival a High Tea at the Windsor. Bernie Ward’s Lumberjack cake was a firm favourite, closely followed by dishes produced by two junior chefs. Sarah Moon’s Fudgy Ginger cake and Kate Russell’s Chocky Orange and poppy seed cake were both declared ‘yum!’

So far $224.50 has been raised. Thanks to Lisa Lavey for organising the morning, to those who donated gifts for the raffle and to all the taste testers, who probably had the best time of everyone!

The litter of boutique puppies ‘The Dog’ caused a sensation and all went to good homes for a modest sum.

Caught on camera and posted on FaceBook – who is the new bestie of Mildura Director Fiona Wright and Laura Major? It seems that some senior staff are taking networking to a whole new level…

As Laura said: “Of all the bars in all the towns of the world….he walks into ours…”

Yes…it’s (Sir) Richard Branson!

Fiona and Laura with Richard Branson