Mid West - Goldfields Hub
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Our Team
Team Leader, Mid West
Fraser Adam
Fraser is the Team Leader for WA Regional Training Hubs. Based in Geraldton, Fraser supports a statewide team assisting medical students and junior doctors in creating their career pathway from first year medical student with rural intentions to Fellow rural practitioner. In collaboration with our stakeholders, the Regional Training Hubs team strive to develop new prevocational and vocational rural training pathways for early career doctors, contributing to the creation of a sustainable medical workforce that supports the health requirements of our local communities.
What I love about the RCSWA
Having worked regionally in health for over 30 years, I love the RCSWA cultural fit with my own personal values of achieving equitable access to high quality and culturally appropriate healthcare in rural WA.
Contact: [email protected]
MENTOR, Mid west
Angela Glen
Angela is a GP anaethetist based in Geraldton. She completed her graduate medical training in Fremantle before relocating to Geraldton. After a term of GP training in the region, she had such a fantastic time that she decided to settle there permanently. Angela shares her time between teaching RCSWA students, anaesthetics, general practice and Regional Training Hubs.
What I love about the RCSWA
I enjoy working with like-minded doctors who share my passion for rural medicine and for mentoring medical students.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Mid west
Emma K Jones
Emma is a General Practitioner with a special interest in everything and has completed FARGP with advanced skills training in emergency medicine.
For her, the best thing about living and working rural is having a strong sense of connection to place and community, and a very supportive network who understand her strengths and limitations. Emma enjoys volunteering through the Apex Club of Geraldton and advancing the Midwest GP Network and Midwest Health Professionals Network.
What I love about the RCSWA
When I was a student with RCSWA, I saw the doctors that I wanted to become. My mentors during that year helped me to develop the clinical reasoning skills that I needed for internship. I feel that training future doctors is very rewarding work.
Contact: [email protected]
Project Officer, Goldfields
Toni Hawkins
Toni is a passionate advocate for rural healthcare with deep roots in Western Australia. Born in the Goldfields and raised in Esperance, Toni has a profound connection to the communities she serves and believes that building a robust healthcare system in these areas is essential to fostering resilient communities and ensuring equitable access to medical services.
Toni is particularly committed to mentoring and supporting junior doctors, encouraging them to explore the unique opportunities and experiences of working in rural and remote settings. In her work, Toni combines her local knowledge and professional expertise to create impactful solutions that address regional healthcare challenges. She welcomes collaboration and is eager to connect with like-minded individuals and professionals who share her vision of advancing rural training opportunities in the Goldfields-Esperance Region.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the collegial environment and the focus on student wellbeing - we are like family.
Contact: [email protected]
Project Officer, mid west
Aimee Rowland
Growing up in a rural town, Aimee feels passionate about helping create more opportunities for the rural medical healthcare workforce. Aimee joined RCSWA Regional Training Hubs in 2021 after switching from a business banking background and has never looked back.
What I love about the RCSWA
I believe the work I do has a vital role in the regional health care system. I enjoy learning new things and building relationships to achieve our goals.
Contact: [email protected]
Mid West Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?
In Geraldton there are training positions in a number of specialties.
- Emergency: accredited for two full time ACEM trainees for a six-month Special Skills Position in Rural Remote Medicine.
- Internal Medicine: 12 positions accredited for basic physician training and one position accredited for advanced training.
- Orthopaedics: service registrar positions only.
- General Surgery: service registrar position only.
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology: accredited six-month training position.
- General Practice Advanced Skills: Our emergency department is accredited for ACRRM and RACGP advanced skills training terms and RACGP extended skills.
- Psychiatry: there are accredited rural psychiatry training pathways.
- Anaesthetics: there are two positions, but they are not yet accredited for ACCRM or FANZCA.
- Medical administration: one accredited RACMA training position.
*Information subject to change
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What is the education program?The Medical Education Unit at Geraldton Hospital holds teaching sessions for an hour at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are also great education opportunities on Friday mornings at the Midwest Doctors Network/ Regional Training Hubs Education Breakfast.
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Can I get involved in research?RMOs can be involved in the clinical service improvement program as one of their core rotations. Junior doctors are encouraged to participate in audits during their Geraldton rotations. Participation in research is a strong priority at Geraldton Hospital and involvement in larger research projects will be available.
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Will I be able to do audits?Yes, junior doctors are encouraged to participate in audits during their rotation at Geraldton Hospital.
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What rotations are available?
- WA Country Health Service (WACHS) interns: General Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency, Psychiatry and Paediatrics.
- Non-WACHS interns: General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics.
- RMOs: Rotating Community Residency Program for Paediatrics for 12 weeks.
- WACHS RMOs: Emergency, General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Public Health, Clinical Service Improvement Program and General Practice.
*Information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?2024: 32 RMOs (one of these is Community Residency Program), 5 WACHS interns, and 6 metropolitan interns per rotation.
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Will I be left on my own at work?Junior doctors are always supported by either a registrar or consultant.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?Rotating interns do not pay rent or utilities. Subsidised accommodation is supplied for WACHS interns and JMOs. Rent is automatically deducted from their weekly salary. Interns and JMOs pay their own gas, water, and electricity bills.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?Geraldton is the place to be! There are a wide range of organised sports clubs and casual sports (such as Parkrun and ocean swimming groups) available. Geraldton is a world-famous windsurfing and kitesurfing destination with kitesurfing lessons available at the Geraldton windsurfing school at Coronation Beach just north of town. We have a number of pubs in Geraldton including a brewery and gin distillery that host quiz nights or live music on weekdays. We also have the Nukara Music Festival and the Shoreleave Festival every year. Geraldton has an art gallery and museum with regular exhibitions moving through, and budding artists can enter the Flotsam and Jetsam competition with sculptures crafted from washed-up sea junk. Surprisingly, there is a high ratio of cafes: humans in town– even the biggest coffee snob will be satisfied here. Geraldton is a great place for children with multiple playgrounds along the foreshore including a water playground. Swimming lessons are available for children and adults, as well as two surf life-saving clubs.
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What else is there to do?Geraldton is located on the shipwreck coast of WA and the museum and HMAS Syndey Memorial are worth a visit. Rides are available on weekends on the historical longboat replica. The Abrolhos Islands are located off the coast and offer scenic day flights and boat cruises, and superb snorkelling, fishing and crayfishing. The historical Greenough settlement, wildlife park and archery course are located just south of Geraldton and are a great day out for families. Mullewa and Mingenew are both located only an hour from Geraldton and boast some of the most spectacular wildflowers in Australia. Geraldton is the gateway to the north – Kalbarri, Murchison, Shark Bay, Coral Bay, and Exmouth are within a day’s driving distance from Geraldton and Karijini National Park is less than three days’ drive away.
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Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?Rural Health West grants are available for partners of doctors in regional areas to undergo further study that will assist them in finding employment in a rural area. Geraldton is one of the fastest growing regional towns in WA and there are a lot of employment opportunities here, particularly in healthcare, mining, agriculture, and education.
As an RCSWA mentor, I feel a sense of fulfilment that I have given something back to the program that has altered my direction in life.Dr Emma Jones
Regional Training Hubs Mentor, Geraldton
Goldfields Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?Yes. Many medical specialty colleges and training organisations value rural experience, and in fact, some even prioritise it because rural training provides broad clinical exposure, often with a higher level of hands-on experience and autonomy than in larger metropolitan settings. These experiences can be highly beneficial in competitive applications for specialty training.
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What is the education program?
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Can I get involved in research?Yes. There are opportunities through WA Country Health Service (WACHS) or in collaboration with the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia.
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Will I be able to do audits?Yes.
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What rotations are available?
RMOs can undertake rotations in Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics, Perioperative Medicine, General Medicine, General Surgery, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
*Information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?There are approximately 30 JMOs working at Kalgoorlie Health Campus.
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Will I be left on my own at work?All levels of doctors in training positions have graded autonomy. There are always senior doctors to call both onsite and on call.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?
Yes. WACHS provides accommodation for JMOs on rotation.
There is a limited supply of WACHS accommodation for doctors however there is a subsidy available for private rentals.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?Kalgoorlie offers a variety of sports and recreational activities including;
Australian Rules Football: Kalgoorlie has a strong football culture, with teams in the Goldfields Football League.
Cricket: The Goldfields Cricket Association hosts local competitions, and there are several cricket clubs for various skill levels.
Soccer: The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Soccer Association has leagues for all ages, with several clubs in the area.
Rugby: The Goldfields Rugby Union Club offers opportunities for players of all ages to participate in rugby.
Tennis: Kalgoorlie offers tennis facilities like the Goldfields Tennis Club, which runs social games, coaching, and competitions.
Squash and Badminton: Both squash and badminton courts are available at local sports centres, with clubs for regular matches and training.
Water Sports: Swimming: The Kalgoorlie Oasis Recreation Centre has an indoor pool for swimming laps, lessons, and water aerobics.
Water Polo: There’s also a water polo club at the Recreation Centre for those interested in team water sports.
Golf: 18-hole course.
Martial Arts: There are a variety of martial arts studios in Kalgoorlie offering classes in disciplines like karate, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Running and Cycling: Kalgoorlie has trails and paths suited for running and cycling, including clubs that organize group runs, rides, and races.
Bowling and Lawn Bowls: There are both indoor and lawn bowls facilities in town, popular for social and competitive games.
Motorsports: Kalgoorlie has a motorsports scene, including a speedway and a go-karting club, which is a unique way to experience the thrill of racing. -
What else is there to do?Kalgoorlie has a lively nightlife, with many historic pubs dating back to the gold rush days. The Exchange Hotel and Judd's are iconic. Here are some ideas for things to do:
Goldfields Mining Heritage:
Super Pit Lookout: Witness one of Australia’s largest open-pit gold mines, the Super Pit, which is over 3.5 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide. The scale of mining operations is impressive, and there are regular tours available.
Museum of the Goldfields: Learn about the area’s mining heritage, view gold nuggets, historic photos, and relics of Kalgoorlie’s boom times in the 1800s.
Historical Tours:
Gold Rush Walking Tour: Walk around the city’s historic streets with well-preserved architecture from the gold rush era, including grand hotels, saloons, and heritage buildings on Hannan Street.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Heritage Trail: This self-guided tour takes you through sites like the historic Boulder Town Hall and Mount Charlotte Reservoir, providing insight into the area’s history.
Outback Experiences:
Karlkurla Bushland Park: This park is a great place to hike or have a picnic while enjoying native bushland, wildflowers, and a view of the town from the lookout tower.
Lake Ballard: A bit further out, this salt lake is known for the unique art installation of Antony Gormley's sculptures spread across the lake’s surface.
Outdoor and Adventure Activities:
Go on a 4WD adventure: The Outback terrain around Kalgoorlie is ideal for 4WD trips, with opportunities to explore rugged landscapes, old mining sites, and ghost towns.
Prospecting and Gold Panning: Many operators offer prospecting tours where you can try your luck with a metal detector or pan for gold in old mining areas. -
Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?Rural Health West grants are available for partners of doctors in regional areas to undergo further study that will assist them in finding employment in a rural area.
Curtin University is in Kalgoorlie, home to the prestigious WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering and the Goldfields University Department of Rural Health.
WA Country Health Service Training Programs
Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotations Program
Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotations (RAPTOR) One is a 12-month program for WA Country Health Service junior doctors (PGY2+) who are interested in physician training.
RAPTOR One is a Basic Physician Training (BPT) preparation program offering excellent rural adult medicine experiences and professional development opportunities to help candidates prepare for the competitive BPT application process in WA. Successful applicants are allocated relevant term rotations, including at least two medical terms, an ED term and a Clinical Service Improvement term.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: WA Country Health Service - Placement Opportunities
Rural Generalist Pathway WA
The aim of the Rural Generalist Pathway is to streamline the training journey for aspiring Rural Generalists. Once on the pathway, trainees will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced Rural Generalist, provided with individualised career navigation, connected to our network of stakeholders and given priority access to requisite courses.
The Rural Generalist Pathway WA Coordination Unit is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Rural Generalist Pathway.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: ruralgeneralist.health.wa.gov.au
Rural Psychiatry Training WA
Rural Psychiatry Training WA (RPTWA) is Australia’s first ever dedicated rural psychiatry training program. The program provides comprehensive rural training at over 30 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) accredited posts.
We provide unique and comprehensive training experiences in rural generalist psychiatry, with Stage 3 trainees completing Certificates of Advanced Training considered on a case-by-case basis. Stage 1 trainees are allocated to one of four comprehensive training hubs in Albany, Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton. Each hub has the full range of training posts required for completion of a five-year generalist RANZCP Fellowship. Stage 2 and 3 trainees also have the option to explore the unique and well-supported training posts available at each of our rural training centres across WA.
The RPTWA program provides a comprehensive and fully supported pathway to a rewarding rural psychiatry career. The RPTWA team are based across WA, with the program delivered from our training hub in Bunbury.
Contact: [email protected]
WA Intensive Care Training Pathway
The WA Intensive Care Training Pathway (WAICTP) is a new training initiative that launched in 2024. The WAICTP is a networked training pathway open to current and future Intensive Care Medicine trainees in Western Australia.
The Pathway enables trainees to complete the CICM Training Program requirements in a streamlined fashion by providing access to training rotations, integrating training across tertiary, outer metropolitan and rural health services, supporting individual educational needs based on a trainee's phase of training.
The Pathway is centrally coordinated within the WACHS Medical Education Unit and is supported by a centralised recruitment, selection and allocation process.
Contact: [email protected]
WA Rural Physician Training Pathway
The WA Rural Physician Training Pathway aims to provide a networked training approach for WA rural physician trainees.
In Basic Physician Training (BPT), the Pathway will map a three-year training journey within the WA Country Health network, with in-reach rotations to partnered level 3 training settings for a period of 12 months to achieve the Royal Australasian College of Physician (RACP) Basic Physician Training Adult Internal Medicine (BPT AIM) training requirements. The Pathway will progress into supporting RACP Advanced Training to ensure a coordinated and networked approach across rural WA.
Centrally coordinated by the WA Rural Physician Training team.
Contact: [email protected]
Networking
GeMOS was established in 2022 by a group of passionate junior doctors who recognized the need for a supportive community to address the unique challenges faced by interns, resident medical officers, and registrars throughout their prevocational training journey at Geraldton Hospital.
The Society provides a welcoming community, fostering connections and offering valuable resources for personal and professional growth. GeMOS excels in advocating for its members' wellbeing, addressing workplace challenges, and enhancing the overall experience of junior doctors.
Contact: [email protected]
The Goldfields Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Goldfields region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: gohpn.com.au
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Founded in 2022, the Goldfields Junior Medical Officers Society provides networking, mentoring and educational opportunities for junior doctors and registrars located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.
The Society strives to enhance the experience of junior doctors in the region by providing advocacy on matters related to education and training, and industrial relations.
Contact: [email protected]
The Midwest-Gascoyne Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Midwest-Gascoyne region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: mwhpn.com.au
Western Australian Rural Doctors in Training (WARDiT) works closely with local medical administrations and hospital executives to ensure JMOs – as representative stakeholders – are given a seat at the table. This involves engagement in professional matters, industrial relations, education and training, the promotion of fair work environments and workplace culture, to name a few. Networking and support are high priorities along with mentorship, social events and inclusivity (both in and out of work).
Find out more: wardit.com.au
The WA Rural Paediatricians Network represents rural paediatricians and paediatricians who provide rural outreach to children and families in WA. The Network is independent of the WA Country Health Service and the Child and Adolescent Health Service and provides advocacy on issues relevant to rural paediatricians.
The Network acts as a forum for discussing shared issues in service delivery and clinical care, supports rural training network, and provides networking and educational opportunities to its members.
Contact: [email protected]
