Cathy Ward and Helen Chambers are investigating which searches would be useful to have available to researchers on the School of Rural Health Research Professional page.

If you have any suggestions of what would be useful to you, please contact Helen or Cathy.

Handy Tip: When you log into Research Professional, click on the “Our Institution” tab on the top left hand menu to go to Monash’s home page. Scroll down on this home page to access a number of general searches such as Australian Granting Bodies, Australian Medical Schemes, Early Career Research opportunities and NIH Schemes. You can also find a link to Research Professional on the SRH intranet.

Here are some research opportunities available in the next two months identified by the existing School of Rural Health searches.

Research Grants

Vanguard grants – Heart Foundation of Australia
These provide funding to test the feasibility of innovative concepts in public health or health services, including clinical service delivery, which may lead to larger, more rigourous testing in the future. Grants are worth up to AU$75,000 for up to one year.
Closing date: 3 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1283343

RACGP/Osteoporosis Australia bone health research grant – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
This supports research that will help to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures and lead to improved quality of life and excellence in clinical care of people with osteoporosis and fractures. The grant is worth up to $30,000 during one year.
Closing date: 6 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/938275

Blue sky cancer research grants – Cancer Council South Australia
These support early pathways of cancer research projects that have the potential to make a significant contribution to cancer control in South Australia. Funding of up to $100,000 is available.
Closing date: 20 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1302801

Project research grants – Asthma Australia
Project research grants are open to all researchers and seek to support the most effective local research in areas relevant to asthma. Budgets no larger than $19,000 are preferred, with an additional $1,000 available to attend the biennial Australian Asthma Conference.
Closing date: 28 May 2013 (Forecast)
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/250562

Research grants – DENTSPLY Australia
Grants support dental research in Australia and New Zealand, recognising outstanding and innovative research in basic dental science and applied research achievements for improvement and development of oral care for the prevention of oral diseases. Grants are worth a maximum of $3,000 over one year.
Closing date: 31 May 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/258752

Travel Grants

Travel grants – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
These enable Australian early-stage researchers or allied health and nursing professionals to travel to research institutions or scientific meetings for the purpose of furthering their expertise on Type 1 Diabetes. Grants are worth up to $2,000 for domestic travel or up to $4,000 for international travel.
Closing date: 14 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/251958

Research Fellowships

RACP/MAIC research establishment fellowship – Royal Australasian College of Physicians
This aims to improve knowledge on medical conditions that cause or contribute to road traffic crashes, injuries arising from crashes, and medical treatments or approaches that improve health or other outcomes for people involved in crashes. Funding is worth up to $40,000.
Closing date: 17 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1300571

Australian leadership awards fellowships – Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
These provide Australian organisations with the opportunity to offer funding to senior officials and mid-career fellows from developing countries for short-term study, research and professional development activities in Australia. A maximum of $35,000 per fellow is available. This award is in Australian research income Category 2.
Closing date: 19 Jun 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/245160

Research fellowships – Cancer Council of Western Australia
These provide opportunities for outstanding biomedical and health researchers with a proven track record to conduct research that is of both major importance for cancer control and significant benefit to Western Australian health and medical research. Funding is worth up to $400,000 for the duration of up to four years.
Closing date: 24 May 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/564396

Scholarships

Health professional scholarships – Heart Foundation of Australia
These provide the opportunity for applicants to undertake a PhD after a number of non-academic years. The scholarships are worth $40,000 pro rata per year for up to three years, subject to annual review.
Closing date: 28 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1283337

Taylor-Hammond research scholarship – Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The purpose of the scholarship is to promote clinical or basic research in women’s health in areas that have not previously attracted a great deal of research funding. The scholarship is for a period of one year with a stipend of $20,000.
Closing date: 30 Jun 2013 (Forecast)
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/245001

This year’s Joanna Briggs Institute convention is themed “The 2013 campaign for getting evidence into policy”. The convention will bring together Australian and international speakers and delegates in Adelaide from 21 to 23 October. Organisers are currently seeking abstracts (see the convention website for details.) Early bird discounts are also available for delegates who register by 12 July 2013.

The Joanna Briggs Institute promotes and supports the use of evidence in developing healthcare practices and policy globally. A collaboration of 70 entities across the world, it maintains a free database of evidence-based resources JBI COnNECT+, to help practitioners with clinical decision-making.

The annual ‘get to know you’ good old Aussie-style barbie was again a hit in Warragul.

Held in mid-March in the public barbecue area near the Warragul tennis courts, the informal evening attracted students from Years 3, 4 and 5 and also some East Gippsland students who were in West Gippsland for a few days.

A number of tutors and staff made it along, some with their children, so it turned into a lovely family evening.

The aim was for all students at each year level and tutors to gather in an informal setting, and get to know each other socially at the start of another busy year.

It achieved its aim!

Students check out the local playground near the barbecue area

Dr Megan Brown, a former Dux of the Monash University Medical Faculty, has returned home to West Gippsland Hospital as part of the next step in her medical career.

Dr Brown, nee Megan Farmer, will spend ten weeks as a medical registrar at the West Gippsland Healthcare Group, in the area where she grew up and completed much of her medical studies.

Dr Brown is from Drouin and went to secondary school in Warragul, gaining a place at Monash University to study medicine. She took advantage of the Monash University School of Rural Health program, completing her Year 3 studies at the Warragul Campus of the Gippsland Regional Clinical School as well undertaking a number of Year 4 rotations at Traralgon, South Gippsland and Warragul.

Her ability and knowledge was recognised when she graduated as equal Dux of the Monash University medical faculty for 2010. “This is a testament to the wonderful support I had from the local community, God, my church and Gippsland Regional Clinical School,” Dr Brown said.

She added that she is enjoying her time back in Warragul.

“Working at West Gippsland really does feel like coming home,” Dr Brown said. “More than that it is a great team to work with and provides fantastic learning opportunities. I trust that in my short time here I can give something back to the community which has supported me so much over the years.”

The role of the Monash University School of Rural Health program includes providing opportunities for local people to undertake medicine and also encouraging medical students to consider their long term opportunities in regional areas.

Dr Brown is currently undertaking studies as a basic physician trainee, which will equip her to do further specialist training including hopefully becoming a hospital specialist in Internal Medicine. She has an interest in rural and regional General Medicine which she attributes largely to her study and work here in Warragul.

Dr Megan Brown (right) pictured at her graduation when she was announced Dux of Monash Medical faculty, with Warragul's Dr Jenny Eury.

 

Once again the Amazing Race (Mildura version) has proved a perfect way to introduce medical students to all that Mildura has to offer while they are living in the area.

Students were encouraged to form teams with one student from each of the three year levels. Two of the teams were bolstered by the inclusion of Head of School Professor Judi Walker and Mildura Director Fiona Wright.

Armed with a booklet of tasks, the teams set off to complete their duties safely. Some of the fun activities included picking grapes, finding a lost Monash teddy bear at the swimming beach, discovering parts of Mildura’s history and identifying sporting arenas.

A reward at the end was laid out at the ‘Pitstop’ in the clinical school. It was dinner, consisting of roast meats, potato bakes and salads, followed by ice-cream cones dipped in sprinkles.

But to earn their meal the teams had to complete a final task, one they took to with gusto!

The original plan called for each team to perform 15 seconds of the Chooky Dancers’ version of Zorba the Greek.  But before long all students were mass dancing along with the video on the big screen.

Judi and Fiona opted at this point to adjudicate a number of awards, and also to judge the dancing. 

They were asked to determine one dance winner; however, decided the fairest outcome would to award the best dancer from each of Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5.  

When it came to the award for innovation, the judges were tempted by the team which recorded a NEGATIVE total mileage for the race (???!!); however they decided Year 5 student Cameron Sharp’s leadership and motivation of the other students was more deserving of recognition!

The Chooky Dancers version of Zorba the Greek has everyone on their feet.

 

Monash University Year 4C medical student, Caroline Shipley, has earned a scholarship to assist in her studies with the School of Rural Health in Gippsland.

Caroline, who is studying at the Warragul Campus of Gippsland Regional Clinical School, is the recipient of this year’s ‘Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Opportunity Scholarship – Physical Disability.’

The scholarship is a boost for Caroline, who has already achieved remarkable things to pursue her medical studies.

Caroline had a stroke at age 26 after she had a rare brain tumour removed, which has left her with some residual problems like balance and easy fatigue.  Caroline also has arthritis and required knee surgery last year following a fall on a ward round.

Despite these issues and the obstacles involved as a single parent of a child with special needs, Caroline is continuing her studies.

“Whilst I’m still very much engrossed in the study, fascinated by the human body (and how much we still don’t understand, particularly in the fields of genetic and immunology) I’ve reached that point in a medical student’s career where it’s very clear how little I actually know and how long and difficult this journey is.

“Would I still do it knowing then what I do now?  Absolutely, but I might have deferred a year or two and spent more time at home with my child whilst he was still little. And had a really good holiday somewhere nice first, because I haven’t had time to have one since I started!”

Caroline’s commitment has been commended by all at the Gippsland Regional Clinical School.

Caroline Shipley

Charlotte D'Amore

Eleanor Mitchell and Angelo D’Amore, of East Gippsland Regional Clinical School and MUDRIH, are celebrating the arrival of their baby girl Charlotte, on Monday 25 March.

Parents and babe are all doing well and East Gippsland staff are lining up to assist with babysitting duties.

Contrary to the sign on Charlotte’s cot blanket, Angelo assures us that she is not for sale.

Baby statistics (statistics being Angelo’s forte) are:

Name: Charlotte Antonietta Margaret D’Amore
Born: Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
Birth Date: 25 March 2013, 5:05pm
Weight: 3,260kg, 7lbs 3oz
Length: 48cm
Head circumference: 35.5cm

Congratulations to both Eleanor and Angelo.

Loy Perryman

Congratulations to Loy Perryman, Year 4C Coordinator and Clinical Educator at the Sale Campus of the East Gippsland Regional Clinical School, who has graduated from Monash University with a Masters of Nursing (Education).

Loy is hoping to use this degree to further improve her current clinical practice as a nurse and to build on future research into the MBBS curriculum.

While her undertaking the full time position at the Sale campus, Loy still manages to engage in the clinical setting at the Emergency Department of the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service in her “spare time” so completing the Masters as well has been no mean feat.

Marita Chisholm

Marita Chisholm has had a busy month, in an academic and sporting sense.

She presented her PhD topic, ‘Access to dementia care and support services in rural Victorian communities’ before colleagues and a panel to successfully gain her confirmation of candidature.

At around the same time she was busy preparing for and taking part in the annual 8km swim, the Cohuna Bridge to Bridge race, along the town’s Gunbower Creek.

Marita swam into second place, continuing her impressive record in the event.

She has swum the 1.5km race three times and the 8km race twice, earning a top three placing in every race.

The event is held amongst the picturesque surrounds of Cohuna, Gunbower Island State Forest and the Gunbower Creek making it a great family day. There are a range of events for adults and juniors and all money raised is donated to the Cohuna District Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Bendigo Zonta celebrated International Women’s Day with a dinner addressed by key note speaker Dr Louise Mahler, founder of Vocal Intelligence.  Zonta is a global service organisation of executives and professional women working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy.

Ten staff members from the School of Rural Health enjoyed an evening of good food and laughter.  At the Bendigo dinner, the participants were taken through exercises in breathing and big gestures to achieve ‘the wisdom of voice.’ In order to understand how to make the mind, body and voice work together, there were tips for what to do with your hands and how to use your voice when speaking in public.

Dr Mahler told the group that ‘vocal Intelligence is a means of getting in touch with coherence of voice, words, emotions, relationships and context.’

Her background is in economics, business and Opera singing, and she sees the ‘voice as a much richer and more complex creative tool for effective personal and professional development.’

The School of Rural Health group agreed that Dr Mahler was one of the most entertaining and informative speakers that it had the privilege to hear, and highly recommend attending one of her sessions if anyone gets the opportunity.

The group also thanked the volunteers from Bendigo Zonta for organising the event for International Women’s Day.

Bendigo Professional staff enjoyed the dinner, as the photo shows. In the front row from left are Cheryl Sutherland, Lyndsey Brown, Sonya Steve, Cathy Wheel and Sandra Paschkow, while in the back row are Gillian Fallon, ZONTA District 23 Governor Ann Horrocks, Bendigo ZONTA President Rosalie Lake, Michelle Moon, Terri Galea and Melissa McNicol. Bendigo Regional Clinical School Regional Manager Kerrie Thomsen took the photo.