Go back

GROW Rural SWQ Students Deepen Rural Experience in Charleville

18 September 2025

Media Release Assets Banner2

​From Friday 10 October to Sunday 12 October, 17 health students from Health Workforce Queensland’s GROW Rural South West Queensland (GROW Rural SWQ) program will travel to Charleville for the third rural immersion event of their GROW Rural SWQ rural health journey.

Having previously visited Roma and St George, this marks the students’ first visit to Charleville, where they will connect with local healthcare professionals, community members, and organisations as they continue to explore a future in rural health.

Co-designed and delivered in partnership with local health services and communities, GROW Rural SWQ is a unique program that supports health students through immersive, hands-on rural experiences. The program provides a structured pathway from student engagement to early career employment, helping to address critical health workforce shortages in South West Queensland.

While this marks the final immersion event for the current GROW Rural SWQ cohort, Health Workforce Queensland will continue to support the students through clinical placements and graduate job opportunities across the region, in collaboration with local primary care providers and health services.

"The GROW Rural SWQ program is about more than just rural exposure—it’s about building real relationships with communities and laying the foundations for a future rural health workforce,” said Health Workforce Queensland CEO, Chris Mitchell. “We are deeply grateful to the Charleville community, and to all the local businesses and health professionals who continue to support this important initiative.”

The theme of the Charleville event is communication, with a focus on deep listening, clinical collaboration, and community engagement. Over the weekend, students will:

  • Engage in a Listening Workshop guided by Indigenous Elders and CWAATSICH staff, fostering cultural understanding, respectful communication, and the practice of deep listening grounded in First Nations knowledge systems.

  • Take part in a clinical simulation with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), focusing on emergency response and communication in remote healthcare.

  • Support local disaster preparedness activities as part of Get Ready Murweh by assisting emergency and health services and leading their own ‘Under the Hood’ activities with community.

  • Billet with local families to gain firsthand insight into rural life, build meaningful community connections and experience Charleville hospitality.

  • Join a Talking Circle to reflect on their rural immersion journey and explore the transition from student to early career graduate in collaboration with local health services.

By inspiring the next generation of health professionals to live, work, and thrive in South West Queensland, GROW Rural SWQ is helping build a stronger, more sustainable health workforce. The program’s success, and its unique impact, is made possible through the contributions and support of local health services, community members, and regional collaborators.