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Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
When the health students from Health Workforce Queensland's (HWQ) GROW Rural South West Queensland (SWQ) program arrived in Charleville for their final rural immersion event, the focus was clear: connection, growth, and strengthening ties with rural health communities.
Over three years, students from disciplines including medicine, nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition & dietetics, dental, and podiatry participated in immersive experiences across Roma, St George and Charleville. Connections with local communities and health professionals gave students firsthand insight into the rewards of rural practice, while also showing how strongly these regions support GROW Rural to build their future health workforce.
The program began at CWAATSICH with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony led by Bidjara Elder Patricia Fraser. Students then participated in a cultural awareness yarning circle with Elders and Aboriginal health workers, exploring listening as a healing practice and the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations with First Nations Peoples. Through shared stories and lived experiences, they gained understanding of the importance of establishing trust and delivering culturally safe care.
Authentic connection, with people and place, is central to the GROW Rural experience. On the first night, students were welcomed into local homes as billets. Later, billet families joined students, health professionals and representatives from community organisations for a dinner at the Warrego Yacht Club. The evening was a chance to strengthen relationships and for students to reflect on how their skills, confidence, and perspectives had evolved throughout their GROW Rural journey.
Podiatry student Carla Gagliardo summed up the experience: ‘From someone who tends to stay in their comfort zone, joining GROW Rural was a real push for me, to step out and be challenged and grow personally and professionally.’
A hallmark of GROW Rural is hands-on, community-based learning, where students actively contribute rather than just observe.
At the ‘Get Ready Murweh’ event, students designed and facilitated their own health checks using the theme ‘Under the Hood’, to encourage community members to think about health maintenance the same way they care for their vehicles. Health stations such as ‘Brake Check,’ ‘Tyre Pressure,’ and ‘Oil Levels’ were well attended, along with interactive activities like blender bikes, CPR training, and a Queensland Police Service crash site scenario.
Partnering with local services including Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), Vital Health, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), Queensland Police Service (QPS), and South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) not only supported community preparedness but also gave students practical insight into rural health service integration and the value of interprofessional teamwork.
One student reflected on the value of this real-world experience. ‘I was able to plan and implement hands-on occupational therapy screens and assessments with local community members, both solidifying my confidence in my abilities, and allowing me to experience unfiltered and non-curated interactions with the community.’
Students wrapped up their day at the RFDS Queensland base with a hands-on, high-impact experience. Led by Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, and Clinical Educator Emma Wex, the session had students fully engaged as they applied clinical reasoning and teamwork in a simulated emergency retrieval scenario, after touring the RFDS aircraft and learning about the realities of delivering emergency care across remote regions.
The session provided a clear view of the challenges and rewards of remote and rural healthcare and sparked genuine interest in future careers with RFDS. One student reflected, ‘As a student nurse/midwife, it was so interesting to see where you can go with this career, and I would love to look into working with RFDS down the track.’
The final day of the immersion event focused on career pathways through a session titled Planting the Seeds for Success, supported by local health professionals and Health Workforce Queensland (HWQ) recruitment representatives. Students valued the guidance and encouragement to explore future opportunities in rural health. One student shared, ‘The career talk at the end was amazing, and talking about the future with guidance was very informative.’
To close the weekend, students participated in a mandala workshop led by Christine Anne Art & Design. Wearing many hats as a nurse, midwife, clinical educator and artist, Christie-Anne’s own journey of growth mirrors the experience of GROW Rural students. The mandala, a symbol of balance and transformation, provided a creative and mindful way for students to reflect on their development throughout the program. For many, this reflection tied back to powerful messages shared during their GROW journey - like Dr Karen Benn’s advice to ‘Go where the need is,’ which Podiatry student Carla Gagliardo says has guided her commitment to rural practice.
For others, GROW Rural has been life-changing in different ways, offering space to explore passions and build confidence. As one student shared, ‘GROW has provided me with a space to explore my passion, nurture it, and allow it to flourish. The continuous support over the past three years has helped me grow into someone deeply committed to being part of the SWQ communities and giving back to these regions.’
It was a fitting conclusion to a journey dedicated to preparing future health professionals to grow where they are needed most.
HWQ extends heartfelt thanks to the Charleville community and local health professionals who opened their hearts, homes, and workplaces to our students.
Thanks to the following for supporting GROW Rural SWQ over the last three years - WQPHN, SQRH, SWHHS, Vital Health, Maranoa Regional Council, Maranoa Medical, Roma Hospital, QAS, Balonne Shire Council, Goondir Health Services, St George Wellbeing Centre, St George Medical Centre, St George Hospital, Murweh Shire Council, CWAATSICH, Acacia Country Practice and RFDS.
