Virgil Pierini

Dr Virgil Pierini, GP, age 61, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

“A group of ladies from one of the communities I visited on my last day invited me to sit under a tree with them, just chatting.  They felt so at ease with me and it made me realise that I had been accepted by them”.  Virgil recalls this as one of the most rewarding moments of his time with RAHC.  After working as a self employed GP for 35 years, Virgil retired but wanted to continue his medical work in some form.  Having worked in the Northern Territory previously he decided he wished to go back and so his work with RAHC in Tennant Creek began.

Driven by the old medical student desire in him to give back to an area in need, Virgil is positive in his assessment of the initiative and its benefit to the Indigenous community: “There is a very real need for medical personnel; doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.  In many cases the communities are severely in need of medical help”.

Virgil’s advice to people considering working in the NT is to prepare themselves for an unfamiliar environment: “Although it will be an experience which takes you out of your comfort zone, the rewards more than make up for the challenges you will face”.

Virgil's 35 years of GP work put him in good stead for the type of medicine he encountered: "I didn't feel out of my depth at all. There was nothing different to worry any competent doctor" he comments. Virgil's advice in relation to dealing with the cultural differences is: "Listen to the people living in the communities anbd observe how they interact with each other. I truly believe this led me to connect with them in a completely different level and helped me gain their trust".