South West, Great Southern & Wheatbelt Hub
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Our Team
Mentor, South West
Dee Arnold
Dee is a General Practitioner with special interests in Sports and Exercise Medicine, and Women and Children’s Health. As a mentor for RCSWA Regional Training Hubs and Bunbury final year students, she encourages and supports doctors at all training levels to work rurally. She also supports her patients in a holistic way, from their medical care to the logistics of accessing specialist treatment with their family members alongside them.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love that we give students the chance to taste rural life (both medicine and lifestyle-wise). I love access to nature on my doorstep and find this is my 'happy place'. The RCSWA team is so enthusiastic and work hard to create the best opportunities for everyone they support. The students inspire me with their courage to try new things and positive attitudes.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Great Southern
Kirsten Auret
Kirsten is a Medical Coordinator and Research Supervisor in Albany. She was inspired to go down the path of palliative care and general medicine after meeting a talented doctor who provided brilliant palliative care support to her sister-in-law. Kirsten was part of the expert panel involved in WA's Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation and she was the Deputy Head of the RCSWA from 2013-2019. Kirsten enjoys the deeper connections fostered with patients when working and living in rural areas, and following patients across their care at home, to hospital, to hospice.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love that it is a values-based organisation, my colleagues are fabulous, I feel well-supported in my academic work, and that we are a mix of three different universities.
Contact: [email protected]
Project officer, Great SOuthern
Juliet Bateman
Juliet has had some interesting occupations including Physiotherapist, Public Health Officer, Dairy Farmer, Cheesemaker, Agribusiness Owner, Quarantine Officer, and now Project Officer for Regional Training Hubs. She feels grateful to be part of the team that is inspiring and supporting new generations of rural doctors across Western Australia.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love that our students get offered such a unique and amazing experience, and it’s delightful to watch them grow and thrive in their one or two years of RCSWA rural training. I feel incredibly lucky to live and work in the Great Southern – one of the most pristine, precious, diverse and beautiful places in the world.
Contact: [email protected]
project officer, south west
Bianca Butera
Growing up in the Kimberley, Bianca experienced first-hand the unique challenges and rewards of living in a remote region. This personal connection fuels her passion for supporting students and junior doctors through the complexities of rural training and ensuring they have the mentors and tools they need to succeed.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the supportive and collaborative environment at RCSWA. The team is incredibly passionate about rural health, and I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated group of professionals. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see the growth and development of our students and junior doctors.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Great Southern
Mat Coleman
Mat is a Psychiatry coach and Clinical Academic Chair for Rural and Remote Mental Health Practice. He is based in Albany but is often on the road or in the air travelling to other RCSWA sites for psychiatry teaching sessions. Mat was inspired to work in this field due to the complexity of mental health, combined with the humanity of its practice. He finds the variety in rural medicine incredibly rewarding.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love working with amazing generalist colleagues who are dedicated to quality medical education, training and practice.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Great Southern
Brian Cunningham
Brian is a Rural Generalist working in Albany Hospital ED and as a WACHS locum across the state. He is passionate about assisting with rural training pathways and has seen many RCSWA students return to rural practice as Interns, JMOs, Registrars and Fellows.
What I love about the RCSWA
I’ve been part of RCSWA Albany forever and love the bedside teaching, remote teaching, SIM and ECGs, and connecting with colleagues who are former students and JMOs.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Wheatbelt
Pip Gray
Pip is a GP Obstetrician providing antenatal/postnatal clinics at Northam Hospital. The RCSWA Derby alumna feels privileged to have been educated and inspired by so many RCSWA medical educators across the state, and now has special interests in child health and chronic disease management.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love being a part of that team who are passionate about rural health, education, and best practice medicine, and excited to promote the benefits of rural medical education and careers. I also love that I can have a varied and rewarding career, with interesting medicine and down to earth patients, whilst also raising our family on our little farm. You won’t catch me living in the city!
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Great Southern
Lorri Hopkins
For most of her career Lorri has worked in Albany as a rural GP and medical educator for remote and rural generalist GP registrars. She is involved with RCSWA to assist with developing rural pathways for general practice. She loves the change of rural medicine as well as the light bulb moments she sees with students and registrars.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love working with like-minded colleagues who are dedicated to supporting the training of rural doctors.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, South west
Sarah Moore
Sarah is a GP obstetrician in Busselton, she splits her time between teaching at RCSWA, a private GP practice, and the local hospital. Sarah was part of the pilot RCSWA program in Kalgoorlie in 2002, and was so grateful for the teaching and mentoring she received there that she wanted to stay on as a medical educator. Sarah takes particular interest in mindfulness for personal and professional wellbeing - so much so, it inspired her to complete a PhD on the topic. Sarah loves the special connection with her community that she has developed while working and living in Busselton, engaging with people during many significant stages of their lives.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love seeing former students return to the region to work and to visit. It is so heartwarming to observe them grow and contribute to our health system, becoming an integral part of the community. I also love my colleagues - we are like a big family.
Contact: [email protected]
mentor, South West
Bronwyn Peirce
Bronwyn is a Co-Deputy Director of RCSWA and Academic Lead of the Regional Training Hubs Program. She is based in Bunbury and works as an emergency physician. Bron participates in bedside teaching, assessments and scholarly activity supervision, but spends most of her time on the management teams behind curriculum, staffing, student welfare, and rural training pathways. She loves helping students become doctors and seeing them grow their knowledge, skills and attitudes.
What I love about the RCSWA
It feels like family to me and I've always loved the innovative, can-do attitude that comes from the top down.
Contact: [email protected]
Project Officer, Wheatbelt
Joanne Potts
Jo hopes to develop a strong foundation for medical students in the Wheatbelt to assist RCSWA alumni with career pathway training options and provide connections with rural clinical colleagues. Jo relocated to her husband’s family farm near Dryandra Woodlands in the Shire of Cuballing (near Narrogin) in 2015 and has been passionately involved with the medical student program since 2016.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love developing connections with junior doctors in the Wheatbelt to showcase the incredible facilities and lifestyle that is on offer.
Contact: [email protected]
mentor, Metro
Sarah Woodland
Sarah's role is to help medical students build their careers as rural doctors by connecting them with different rural medical training pathways. Now based in Perth, Sarah previously worked in the Kimberley for 11 years and part of that was with the RCSWA.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love seeing students realise that working in rural health will give them what they want in their professional life and lifestyle.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Metro
Helen Wright
Helen specialises in paediatric medicine and is based in Perth. Hailing from Scotland, she originally envisioned her career taking the path of a farmer's wife and rural GP. Instead, Helen now calls WA home and finds passion in working as a specialist paediatrician, medical educator and rural health advocate. Helen's introduction to the RCSWA was teaching the Port Hedland cohort in 2002, before relocating to Perth in 2005. Helen loves the variety of clinical work on offer in rural areas, as well as driving and flying to Aboriginal communities with her supportive, skilled rural colleagues. She believes her time spent working in rural WA has advanced her career.
What I love about the RCSWA
My colleagues are inspiring, committed people who do wonderful work in rural WA. It is rewarding to see students progress through their careers, especially those now working as remote paediatricians.
Contact: [email protected]
South West Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?
Junior doctors who have worked in Bunbury have entered and completed training in all specialty programs available in Australia (and some overseas!). In addition, it is possible to complete all training requirements for Fellowship in General Practice and/or Rural Generalist (with either RACGP or ACRRM) and Psychiatry (RANZCP) in Bunbury; most training requirements for FACEM, and significant time for Paediatrics, General Medicine and ICU. There are also specialty rotations available in Bunbury in Anaesthetics, O&G, Ophthalmology, General, Orthopaedic and Urological surgery, Radiology, Palliative Care, Cardiology and Public Health. New positions and pathways are being created all the time.
*information subject to change
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What is the education program?The Bunbury Medical Education Unit (MEU) runs weekly protected teaching sessions for all junior doctors for at least an hour, and each department within the hospital runs discipline-specific teaching for at least an hour a week. For registrars, there is up to four hours a week of protected teaching time (depending on specialty). Because you will be working closely with registrars and consultants, there is plenty of ‘incidental’ teaching to gain as well.
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Can I get involved in research?There are several supported research opportunities available in Bunbury, either through WA Country Health Service (WACHS) or in collaboration with the RCSWA. Many hospital departments are involved in research studies to which you may contribute to build your skills. However, if you are looking for a research institute where it is possible to gain experience as a researcher in a specific niche field, you may not find it here.
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Will I be able to do audits?Absolutely. Being involved in quality assurance activities such as an audit is encouraged and supported. Many topics are possible, it’s all about finding an appropriate supervisor to guide you when needed.
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What rotations are available?
Currently, interns can rotate to Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics and Psychiatry. RMOs additionally have rotations available in Paediatrics, ICU and Geriatric Medicine.
*information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?In 2025, Bunbury will have 21 interns (15 with WACHS and six rotating from Royal Perth Hospital) and 56 RMOs.
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Will I be left on my own at work?With all the registrar training positions in Bunbury, you will rarely be working alone, and will always have someone you can call for help.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?The hospital has a limited accommodation supply, usually reserved for short term workers. As a WACHS intern, there are some accommodation subsidies available.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?Bunbury is a big coastal town/small coastal city. All types of sport (excluding snow-based) are available. There is a large entertainment centre which hosts local, national, and international acts, plus a thriving arts and cultural scene. Expect some good restaurants and pubs including a good live music scene… but don’t expect to be able to party all night, every night in town.
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What else is there to do?Bunbury is surrounded by water, so swimming, surfing, fishing, and other water-based activities are popular. It’s also less than an hour’s drive to the bushwalking, mountain biking, camping and winemaking of the Ferguson Valley and a slightly longer drive to the Margaret River region.
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Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?Bunbury is home to an Edith Cowan University campus and the South Regional TAFE, plus many other local study opportunities. As the largest regional city in WA, there are extensive job opportunities. Just ask us!
I love continuity of care and providing compassionate, evidence-based care within a rural or remote setting.Dr Michaela Ross
RCSWA Alumni, Esperance
Great Southern Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?
More specialist training programs are developing pathways for all or part of the training rurally. In addition, rural experience as an RMO or registrar is rated highly for specialist entry programs.
Specialty training available in Albany includes:- General Practice - RACGP & ACRRM
- Rural Generalist Training - RACGP & ACCRM
- Emergency Medicine ACEM - specific rural training program with Albany/ Bunbury/ Fiona Stanley Hospital or rural registrar post as part of metro training
- Psychiatry - specific rural training program in Albany/ Bunbury or rural registrar post as part of metro training
- Internal Medicine - basic and advanced rural registrar post as part of metro training
- Paediatrics - basic and advanced rural registrar post as part of metro training
- Palliative Care - GP registrar training in an Advanced Specialised Training position
*information subject to change
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What is the education program?
At the Albany Health Campus, Emergency Medicine has weekly education/ journal club/ SIM training pitched at ACEM trainees. Internal Medicine has weekly education for and delivered by JMOs/ Antimicrobial stewardship/ Radiology meeting/ journal club.
*information subject to change
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Can I get involved in research?There are opportunities with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) or in collaboration with the RCSWA with supportive people available. Best to contact people locally if you have specific research interests.
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Will I be able to do audits?Yes, there are always audits to do.
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What rotations are available?
Currently, metro-based interns can rotate to General Medicine, General Surgery, and Orthopaedics. Metro-based RMOs have rotations available in Emergency Medicine and Paediatrics.
*information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?In 2024: 10 interns, 32 RMOS, 30 registrars.
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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?WACHS interns have subsidised accommodation.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?The Great Southern is a fantastic environment for outdoor adventure, food, and culture. Come and check it out!
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What else is there to do?The Great Southern offers opportunities to explore the Bibbulmum Track, Munda Biddi Trail, the Stirling Ranges and Porongurups, as well as explore the many and varied spectacular beaches in the region. The National ANZAC Centre and the historic Whaling Centre are located in Albany and are a must-see for new arrivals.
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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. The University of Western Australia, South Regional TAFE, and the Great Southern Universities Centre each have an Albany campus.
Spending time working in regional WA has probably just helped me reflect on the vastness of medicine and reminded me that there are so many different paths I can take in my career, and they can all happen at different times.
Dr Jasper Brooksbank
RCSWA Alumni, Northam
Wheatbelt Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?
Yes. The Wheatbelt provides the opportunity to experience real country medicine and witness the vast scope and skillset of experienced Rural Generalists who manage acute and chronic disease, undertake procedural work like anaesthetics and obstetrics, look after neonates, paediatric, pregnant, and surgical patients, right through to gerontology and palliative care.
Northam Health Service is accredited for Advanced Specialised Training in Emergency Medicine and Adult Internal Medicine and there are 5 junior doctors seconded from metro-based hospitals each term. Each term Narrogin Health Service has 3 juniors doctors seconded from metro-hospitals completing rotations in Emergency Medicine and General Medicine. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Northam has 1 Psychiatry registrar position. Rural Generalist and General Practice registrar training opportunities are available throughout the Wheatbelt region.
*information subject to change
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What is the education program?Protected weekly teaching with broad range of topics – minimum of two hours per week. Well supported Hospital Grand Rounds with amazing local catering. There are 5 RCSWA medical students in Narrogin and 4 RCSWA medical students in Northam for an entire year giving doctors the opportunity to provide teaching and mentoring to medical students if desired.
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Can I get involved in research?There are opportunities through WA Country Health Service (WACHS) or in collaboration with the RCSWA with supportive people available. If you have a specific interest in research, please contact Regional Training Hubs before you arrive at site so we can help guide you.
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Will I be able to do audits?Yes.
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What rotations are available?
RMOs can do rotations in Emergency and General Medicine.
*information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?In 2024 Northam hospital has 5 JMOs and Narrogin hospital has 3 JMOs.
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Will I be left on my own at work?There will always be senior doctor to call both onsite and on call. You will be supported by a small and friendly team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with a close working relationship and positive work culture. JMOs get great exposure to a wide range of presentations, pathology and procedures, with excellent hands-on training opportunities with direct access to senior doctors who provide plenty of support.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?Yes. WACHS provides excellent accommodation for junior doctors on rotation within close proximity to the hospital grounds in both Northam and Narrogin (Wi-Fi included).
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?The Wheatbelt region is renowned for its natural beauty and ever-changing scenery with agriculture being the primary industry. There are plenty of stunning bush walks and a real sense of being ‘far from the madding crowd’. There are state of the art sporting facilities and a strong sense of community with many exciting social events on offer throughout the year. If starry nights around the campfire, peaceful evenings and being surrounded by genuinely warm welcoming people sounds like you, then the Wheatbelt is a real opportunity! Plus, it’s only a short distance from Perth.
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What else is there to do?Load of things! Come and check it out to find your Wheatbelt adventure and create your own memories.
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Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?There are plenty of employment opportunities in both Northam and Narrogin. Our Regional Training Hubs teams are on the ground in the Wheatbelt and can provide guidance in this space. 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.
WA Country Health Service Training Programs
Applied Surgical Pathway in Rural Environments Program
ASPIRE is a two-year program for WA Country Health Service junior doctors (PGY3 or above) who are interested in pursuing a career as a Rural General Surgeon. Upon completion of the program candidates will be well placed to apply for the General Surgical Training Program with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. Successful applicants will commence as a resident medical officer and progress to a registrar in the second year of the program. Candidates will rotate between Albany Health Campus and Bunbury Regional Hospital, gaining essential experience across various surgical departments.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: WA Country Health Service - Placement Opportunities
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
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BuDDS seeks to provide a structured mentoring program for medical students and doctors in the greater Bunbury region. BuDDS aims to promote a positive, supportive culture within our medical community by linking doctors at various stages of training and beyond to share experiences and provide personal and professional guidance.
Find out more: budds.asn.au
Established in 2020 BDiTS is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the interest of junior doctors in the South West of Western Australia. BDiTS hosts a series of educational and networking events throughout the year and provides advocacy for its members on training and industrial relations matters. Membership fees apply.
Contact: [email protected]
The Great Southern Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Great Southern region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: gshpn.com.au
JMOGS has the honour of being Western Australia’s first rural JMO society. Founded in 2019 by the inaugural cohort of interns directly employed by the WA Country Health Service, JMOGS role involves advocating for its members on professional matters such as education and training, and workplace culture. JMOGS also offers networking and educational opportunities plus mentoring to junior doctors and registrars located in the Great Southern region.
Contact: [email protected]
The South West Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the South West region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: swhpn.com.au
The Wheatbelt Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Wheatbelt region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Email: [email protected]
Find out more: wbhpn.com.au
NorDITS was established in 2023 by junior medical officers located at Northam and Narrogin Hospitals and focuses on providing resources, support, and advocacy for its members.
NorDITS fosters a sense of community and collaboration amongst junior doctors and registrars working in the Wheatbelt region by promoting networking and educational opportunities, where members can connect and support each other during their training.
Contact: [email protected]
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]
