Albany
Albany is situated on Western Australia’s pristine southern coastline, 400 km from Perth. The one-of-a-kind nature of the Great Southern region allows students to experience rural life on the coast, in the forest and on the land. From Denmark to Mount Barker, Kojonup and Katanning, Albany students are surrounded by the various ways rural life is lived and all that it has to offer.
First established in 2005, the current Albany RCSWA office is located on the UWA Albany Campus, close to the centre of town. Housed in the modern Science Building, the office is equipped with tutorial and clinical specialist rooms and student study spaces. Accessible 24/7, students have access to the internet, printing, tea, coffee, and biscuits.
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Accommodation
Albany has a variety of fully furnished student accommodation for RCSWA students.
The first two houses are conveniently located within a three-minute drive to the Albany Health Campus. The first house is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with the main bedroom and ensuite located at one end of the house and the remaining three bedrooms leading off the dining area. The relatively new house has a great outside entertainment area and a beautiful view of the surrounding suburb and bushland. The second house is a slightly larger five-bedroom, two-bathroom home, with two living areas and shared study spaces.
The third house is a two-story home in Middleton Beach. Downstairs it features one bedroom, with an ensuite and the shared living area, while upstairs it has two bedrooms and a bathroom, along with a shared open area. The house is within walking distance of the beach and a five-minute drive to the Health Campus.
The final accommodation is a four-bedroom unit, located across the road from the Albany RCSWA office and a one-minute walk to the main street. The purpose-built student accommodation features an ensuite for each bedroom, a shared kitchen, lounge, and laundry, with a small outside area containing table and chairs.
All accommodation is provided with wireless internet access.
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Transport
Albany RCSWA has two cars for use by the penultimate and final year students for their placements in Mt Barker, Denmark and Katanning. Albany has a daily TransWA bus service to and from Perth and bus and taxi services for around town.
Cycling is also encouraged as most amenities are easily accessible by bike.
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Health Services
Albany, the regional centre of the Great Southern, offers a wide range of clinical experience across many disciplines. Students are allocated to discipline rotations for 2-4 weeks each, and will work directly with RMOs, registrars and consultants. The RCSWA students are part of each team. All the Medical Coordinators in Albany also work in various clinical roles in the hospital. There are a large number of junior doctors and doctors-in-training also working at Albany Health Campus, as well as student nurses and students in allied health.
In addition to the hospital exposure, the RCSWA coordinates a tutorial program, which is predominantly case-based discussions, and a component of OSCE practice. The RCSWA also likes to ‘take the university outside’ so there are planned events, walks and outside tutorials. There is a winter camp at Quaranup or Denmark. Talk to your Medical Coordinators and Albany RCSWA alumni about teaching experiences in the Great Southern.
General Practices
There are several general practices in Albany and surrounding towns: Denmark, Mount Barker, Kojonup and Katannning. Many have GP registrars. Most take medical students on rotation from RCSWA Albany, as well as metro. Students in RCSWA both in penultimate and final year are allocated to general practice. GP experience with a rural generalist can cover a wide range of experiences, from theatre lists, antenatal clinics, occupational health consults, mental health care plans, child health clinics and attending the emergency department.
Community Services- Acute medical and specialist physician services
- Acute surgical including general, orthopaedic, plastic, urological, ENT, ophthalmology and gynaecological
- Aboriginal Health services
- Allied health services
- Cancer services – chemotherapy, oncology, haematology, Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Care Coordinator.
- Cancer Radiotherapy unit – currently under construction
- Emergency medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Medical imaging provided by iMED
- Paediatrics
- Palliative care
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation services
- Renal dialysis
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Extra activities
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.
Students in Albany can be involved in a variety of community sports and activities. Students over the years have been involved in various football teams, volleyball, netball, soccer, swimming and tennis clubs and teams. Students have also participated in varied craft classes and groups such as pottery and art groups at the Vancouver Arts Centre.
Albany Community Directory is a great place to start if you are interested in joining a sporting or other interest club.
City of Albany – experiences to see and do
Staff Profiles
lead medical coordinator, albany
Christel Smit-Kroner
Christel leads a large team of medical coordinators in Albany and is very active on RCSWA sub-committees including sustainability, education technology, and OSCE. Locally, Christel also works in Aboriginal health, psychiatry, and youth mental health services with Headspace. She considers the most rewarding parts of her medical career to be the privilege of hearing patients’ stories and being involved in providing excellent care.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love RCSWA because it is a value-driven organisation, with room for personal input and creativity. I enjoy spending time with medical students, considering medical topics, and teaching knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The most rewarding experience is watching our alumni shine as they become colleagues and we work together as a team.
final year Coordinator, Albany
Carly Roxburgh
Carly is a Rural Generalist and GP Obstetrician and divides her time between teaching with RCSWA and working in general practice. Carly pursued obstetrics as her specialist area because it includes a variety of medical fields - emergency medicine, surgery, and psychology, to name a few. She enjoys the holistic nature of obstetrics and the continuity of care, treating patients from conception to adulthood.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the engagement with students, our wonderful network of colleagues across the state, and that it is an organisation that embraces innovation and excellence.
Team Leader North, Albany
Joslyn Pass
Joslyn is responsible for everything you can think of (other than clinical content) for Albany RCSWA students. From getting students to and from site, organising housing and local events, and scheduling placements. Joslyn is the go-to person for Albany students and anyone visiting the Albany RCSWA site. Jos has lived in Albany most of her life with brief stints in Kojonup, and was first introduced to UWA when she completed her degree and honours at the UWA Albany campus.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the team I work with and the fact I can pick up the phone and talk to anyone across the state. I love that every year is different with a new group of students.
Out and about
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