Collie
A two-hour drive from Perth, Collie is almost 60 kilometers inland from the port city of Bunbury and surrounded by dense jarrah forest. The town is known for its pristine swimming holes, mountain bike trails, motorsports, arts and crafts, plus a rich industrial history of mining and power generation.
RCSWA welcomed Collie as its newest site in January 2023. The Steere Street office has a large tutorial room, clinical specialist rooms and student study spaces. Students have 24/7 access to the office, internet, printer and biscuit supply!
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Accommodation
Students reside in a five-bedroom, two-bathroom fully-furnished house with a double garage. The house is very spacious with a fantastic outdoor entertainment area and pool. It is a 15-minute walk to the centre of town, GP practices and the hospital.
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Transport
Getting around town by bicycle is very popular. Collie does not have public transport so students are advised to bring their own vehicles, especially as some placements are in neighbouring towns.
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Health Services
Collie's medical services support around 10,000 people living within the town and greater region. There are two general practices – a solo doctor clinic at the Collie Medical Group and a group practice of Collie River Valley Medical Centre employing eight full time GPs (who also staff the Collie District Hospital).
Collie Hospital features a seven-bed emergency department including two resuscitation bays, a 20-bed general ward, a five-bed maternity ward with two labour suites, a palliative care room, and a newly renovated operating theatre. The hospital also has an onsite Pathwest laboratory, radiology that provides x-rays, a visiting ultrasound service, and a strong allied health department for hospital patients and outpatients. This department includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, a dietician, podiatrist, continence nurse, school health nurse, plus a geriatrician and community mental health specialist for outpatients.
Collie's community health services include two dental practices, and private counselling, physiotherapy, podiatry and chiropractic at the Collie Family Centre.
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Extra Activities
Collie is home to a world record-breaking 8,000 square metre mural on the Wellington Dam. The mural entitled ‘Reflections’ is one of 38 striking murals positioned throughout the region. The town has an exceptional regional art gallery featuring permanent and touring exhibitions, and its coveted Collie Art Prize of $50,000 is regional Australia’s richest individual art prize, attracting national and international artists.
Collie is also a mountain-biking mecca and entry point for the Munda Biddi trail and Bibbulmun Track. From September to November, wildflowers are abundant along these trails. In summer, locals and tourists flock to nearby swimming spots including Honeymoon Pool, Long Pool, Minninup Pool, and Lake Kepwari. The azure waters of Black Diamond Lake, Stockton Lake and Glen Mervyn Dam are also popular for boaties and water skiers.
Find out more about Collie, the surrounding region and all that it has to offer by visiting the following links:
Staff Profiles
Lead Medical Coordinator, Collie
Marelene Oelofse
Marelene is a GP who was inspired to join the RCSWA team and be Collie's first lead medical coordinator by alumni Emma Smith and Andrew Kirke. Marelene finds the continuity of care in rural medicine very rewarding, as well as gaining a more holistic view of a patient’s health and family life.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the RCSWA mission of training doctors to provide good quality care for rural people. The wonderful thing about RCSWA is the networking and support structure. Everyone shares their knowledge and skills and what has worked for them, and the students get lots of exposure to and support from other RCSWA sites which broadens their perspectives.
MEdical coordinator, collie
Emma Jones
Emma is a rural GP with extended skills in anaesthetics, providing inpatient hospital care and emergency department care. Emma grew up in Bunbury and counts many positive experiences in rural placements including being an RCSWA student in Kalgoorlie. She loves working rurally because the medicine is never boring, and she feels the interconnectedness of community.
What I love about the RCSWA
I had a great time and learnt so much as an RCSWA student through hands-on learning. The RCSWA is dedicated to ensuring a viable and thriving future for rural medicine in WA.
Academic Services Officer, Collie
Zoey Broomhead
Zoey looks after all student and site matters including housing, clinical placements and assessments. The Collie local spearheaded the establishment of the new office and has helped the inaugural students and medical coordinators settle in and enjoy all that Collie has to offer.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love that we provide real-life exposure to medical students. It benefits the students certainly but having them in our community during the placement, and hopefully beyond, is the greatest reward.
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