Geraldton
Located on Australia's Coral Coast, Geraldton has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and is a major regional hub that services several smaller towns within a 300-500km radius. The primary industries of farming, fishing and mining support the local community and wider region. From October to February, there are consistent 20 knot winds that attract windsurfers and kitesurfers from around the state and internationally. May to September is the time to go surfing and visit the beautiful and mysterious Abrolhos Islands.
Geraldton RCSWA is one of the four original school sites established in WA in 2002. Located next to the Geraldton Health Campus, the RCSWA office is co-located within the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health in a large, modern facility. The office has dedicated teaching and simulation spaces, a student common room, library, numerous study areas, and a café around the corner.
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Accommodation
Geraldton RCSWA students live in three large modern houses with plenty of private study spaces. The houses are close to each other as well as the RCSWA office and local health services.
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Transport
Cars are recommended in Geraldton but many people prefer riding bicycles and e-scooters down town. There is a bus service to the suburbs and there are coaches and flights to Perth daily.
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Health Services
Geraldton has a private and public hospital with operating theatres in both, and a palliative care ward at St John of God Hospital. There are five larger general practices located in town comprising an Aboriginal Health Centre, Headspace and five solo practitioners. In the community there are many services which provide in-home care and palliative home visits to patients.
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Extra Activities
The community of Geraldton is down-to-earth, multicultural and inclusive. There are large surfing, swimming, boating, fishing, cycling, art and music groups who host regular events throughout the year.
To find out more about the city and wider region check out these links:
People who live in Geraldton truly choose to stay for the lifestyle and ideal environment to raise a family. We have the attitude of mateship and helping each other in times of need. Martin Lee
Medical Coordinator, Geraldton
Staff Profiles
co-lead medical coordinator, geraldton
Pippin Holmes
Pippin is a General Practitioner and Co-Lead Medical Coordinator, teaching penultimate and final year students in Geraldton. She works closely with the local medical workforce and the wider Midwest/Gascoyne medical community to establish and maintain quality clinical placements for students. Pippin's introduction to RCSWA was as a student in 2013 when she completed her penultimate year of study in Esperance. She grew up on a farm in the Midwest so returning to the region felt natural, heading back in 2017 as a junior doctor and completing her fellowship in Geraldton.
What I love about the RCSWA
It was a career defining program for me as a student where I found a supportive group of like minded medical professionals and cemented my ambition to be a rural doctor. I love that the RCSWA provides enriching rural placements and the opportunity for students to experience the challenging and rewarding medical careers and enviable lifestyle available in rural and remote WA.
CO-lead medical coordinator, geraldton
Amanda Gee
Amanda is a General Practitioner and Co-Lead Medical Coordinator in Geraldton. Amanda also works as part of the 'on call' GP team at SJOG Geraldton, covering palliative, medical stepdown and private admissions. She loves the flexibility and diversity of medical practice available rurally and the opportunities to follow your areas of interest with general practice as the starting point. She is passionate about support and advocacy for students and junior doctors and has assisted in establishing a rural training pathway in her region. Amanda has two young daughters and believes Geraldton is unparalleled in terms of lifestyle for a growing family.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love working with a team of inspiring colleagues who are passionate teachers and mentors. I really enjoy meeting our energetic students each year and watching their journey into clinical medicine and discovery of the joy of rural life. I hope they can love their RCSWA year as much as I did!
academic services officer, geraldton
Joy Heggs
Joy provides admin support for both MCs and students to ensure they experience the best RCSWA has to offer. Joy moved to Geraldton from Leicestershire England in December 2005 because her family were in WA and she enjoyed her sunny holidays with them too much. Joy believes Geraldton is a big enough town to get what you need but small enough to feel you have escaped the “rat race”.
What I love about the RCSWA
Joining RCSWA was like being welcomed into a big supportive family who encourage you to thrive and become the best you can be. I love the diversity and the fact that I am always learning.
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