Stories

I am living my dream - Karen Wright's Story

13 May 2015

Back in the mid-1970s, I had just completed my general nursing and paediatric certificates in the UK when a colleague came to Australia to work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for 18 months. When she returned, the stories of her experiences planted a seed in my brain.

Hayley Baldwin: An opportunity to have a taste of remote and Indigenous Audiology

17 Apr 2015

As an audiologist with twenty years’ experience, most of which were spent in rural, regional or remote Australia, some might say that I have a predisposition for the work I do in Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) placements, and maybe I do.

Ken Farmer, RAHC Dentist and experience seeker

02 Mar 2015

Ken Farmer, RAHC Dentist shares his journey from private practice to remote practice in the NT.

New Zealand’s Dental Therapist sister act

03 Apr 2014

In the latest RAHC Story published on the RAHC website, Claire Anderson, a New Zealand-born Dental Therapist writes about both her experiences and those of her sister – Hilary Johnson – working remote with RAHC.

A Long Way from Home… Mary-Anne Menhennitt tells her RAHC Story

14 Oct 2013

RAHC Dental Therapist May-Anne Menhennitt was featured in the latest edition of Healthscoop magazine. Mary-Anne talks about her experience in Indigenous health, working in Gapuwiyak, Milingimbi, Kalkarindji and Tennant Creek.

"I've found my dream job!" - Dental Assistant Sharni Bartlett talks about working remote

22 Jul 2013

In the latest edition of the HealthScoop magazine, RAHC Dental Assistant Sharni Bartlett talks about leaving Brisbane to take up a career in the Northern Territory (NT) as a remote health professional. Sharni has worked on short-term paid placements in a number of remote Indigenous communities in the NT, including Galiwin’ku, Alpurrurulam, Borroloola, Timber Creek, Yarralin and Kalkarindji.

“…a life changing experience” - RAHC Dentist Linda Feniger talks about her experience working remote

03 Jul 2013

“…A life changing experience” - Melbourne Dentist Linda Feniger has written about her recent experience working with RAHC in the Top End. Linda has done placements in Milikapiti, Wadeye and Gunbalanya. To read Linda’s story, visit the RAHC website.

A very enriching experience – Dr Joy Linton’s RAHC Story

02 May 2013

GP Joy Linton has spent the majority of her career practicing medicine in Victoria, broken up by a decade-long stint in Nepal. Since returning from Nepal 16 years ago, Joy returned to her role as a country GP, living and working in Leongatha in regional Victoria with her family. A couple of years ago, with her family grown up, Joy was ready for a new challenge and got involved with RAHC.

RAHC Dental Assistant Lily Lewington featured in Health Scoop magazine

04 Apr 2013

RAHC Dental Assistant (DA), Lily Lewington was recently interviewed for an article published in Health Scoop magazine (formally known as the Nursing Post). In the article, Lily talks about how she got involved in RAHC and Indigenous health and what it’s like to be part of a dental team in remote, Indigenous communities in the NT.

“A seriously rewarding experience” Dr John Adams

11 Dec 2012

Dr John Adams has just spent the last two years undertaking placements with RAHC in Ti Tree in the Northern Territory. He starting working for RAHC after retirement from general practice, having heard about the organisation from a colleague at a reunion.“I realised that even though I’d had quite a few jobs before that had included Indigenous health, I was very much in the dark on a lot of Indi

Feel part of the bigger picture - Lynda Murphy featured in CRANAplus magazine

01 Dec 2012

Lynda Murphy has been working as a registered nurse for almost 35 years. She has spent a large part of her nursing career working in intensive care and emergency departments, along with stints in London and Africa. It was her time in Africa which gave her a taste of working in remote or disadvantaged communities and sparked her interest in remote nursing back home.

Lynn Bradley in the Nursing Post!

30 Nov 2012

RAHC Registered Nurse Lynn Bradley featured in the Nursing Post!

A helping hand for remote nurses - Sharon Weymouth RN

26 Nov 2012

The first placement in a remote Indigenous community can be daunting for even the most experienced nurse. Having someone on hand to help alleviate concerns and ease nurses into their new environment can make all the difference.

Lisa Dunn

05 Nov 2012

Lisa Dunn has been a Dental Assistant for seven years, working in private practice in Hobart. She became involved with RAHC in October 2009 and her first placement in the Northern Territory was at Elcho Island working in the Ngalkanbuy Clinic.

Sharon Gibbard

05 Nov 2012

Sharon Gibbard is a Melbourne-based nurse who has completed nine placements with the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC), in five Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

I just love being challenged - Maggie McKenna RN

05 Nov 2012

65 year-old Maggie McKenna has worked as a Registered Nurse for the past 30 years at The Canberra Hospital. In that time she worked for 15 years as a paediatric nurse, took a four year break to look after her own children, and then found her passion providing renal care.

Virgil Pierini

04 Nov 2012

After working as a self-employed GP for 35 years, 61 year-old Dr Virgil Pierini from the Mornington Peninsula retired but wanted to continue his medical work in some way. Having previously worked in the Northern Territory, he decided to work with RAHC in Tennant Creek, helping to improve access to services and health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Odette Lakatos

03 Nov 2012

Being able to look after a child in the night and save their eardrum is just one of the many experiences Odette Lakatos, a 52 year-old nurse from Sydney, recalls when describing her experiences of working for RAHC in the Northern Territory.

It is just so rewarding - RAHC RN Aaron Richardson's story in the Nursing Post

29 Oct 2012

Aaron Richardson started his career as a hospital-based Registered Nurse working the wards of the Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane. Since taking his nursing remote, Aaron has never looked back.

Tony Ferris

26 Oct 2012

Based in Toowoomba, Queensland, 58 year-old General Practitioner Dr Tony Ferris readily agreed to undertake a RAHC placement in Lajamanu, a community 550 kilometres south west of Katherine.

The medical facilities available, although slowly improving, did not provide the standard or variety of facilities Dr Ferris was used to in Toowoomba, but he relished the challenges this presented.

Kim Henderson

24 Oct 2012

A job ad in CRANAplus spurred Glen Innes Registered Nurse Kim Henderson to take the plunge and apply for a remote nursing position.

Since then Kim hasn’t looked back, completing six placements with RAHC in the last 18 months. Kim says while it is the most challenging work during her 29 year nursing career it is also definitely the most rewarding.

Julie Westaway

20 Oct 2012

Nurse Julie Westaway, based in Toowoomba, QLD, recently completed a four-week placement in the Northern Territory for RAHC.

Taygan McDowell

17 Oct 2012

When Taygan McDowell was offered a RAHC placement in Ramingining in the Northern Territory, she didn’t even know where it was. After some research, nerves and lots of excitement, Taygan travelled from Hervey Bay, Queensland, to East Arnhem Land.

Francis Leung

05 Oct 2012

Melbourne-based General Practitioner, Dr Francis Leung, has completed seven three-week placements in the Northern Territory for RAHC.

Kristy Robinson

04 Oct 2012

31 year-old Kristy Robinson from Nowra has been a nurse for five years. During the course of her three-month RAHC placements in Ampilatwatja and Elcho Island, she assisted with the delivery of three babies, provided primary healthcare support to children, educated communities about women’s health, men’s health and diabetes and conducted school screening programs.

Larry King

04 Oct 2012

Larry King began working in remote Indigenous communities in 2007 through a nursing agency. He has also nursed overseas. Looking for a new adventure but somewhere closer to home, Larry signed up with RAHC and so far has completed three placements in the Northern Territory, including one year Yuendumu and two six week placements - at Nyirripi and Lajamanu.

Dr Tanya Davies

04 Oct 2012

Darwin based General Practitioner Dr Tanya Davies had previously worked as a locum in remote and rural communities around Australia. But after three years in the city, Dr Davies decided to give RAHC a call and get back to the bush.

Fiona Wake - RAHC Clinical Manager discusses e-learning in the Nursing Post

01 Oct 2012

Whether you are looking to work in a remote community or simply want to expand your knowledge in remote and Indigenous health, Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) has created valuable training for health professionals.

From Melbourne to Imanpa - Elissa Rowe's RAHC story

20 Aug 2012

Melbourne-based Registered Nurse Elissa Rowe recently completed a RAHC placement in Imanpa, two hours from Alice Springs.

Elissa has many fond memories of her time in the Northern Territory and says she met and worked with lots of great people.

Take your skills north - Eleanor Harrex RN

30 Jul 2012

Canberra-based Registered Nurse Eleanor Harrex recently completed her eighth RAHC placement, in Ramingining, 560 kilometres east of Darwin.