RHAC Newsletter: Healthy Bites - School of Rural Health - University ...

Volume 9, Issue 3
Jul—Dec 2012
Rural Health Academic Centre
Start your day with some healthy bites from the
Rural Health Academic Centre’s Internal Newsletter..
A bright spark from our Editor...
Inside this issue:
Prof’s Word
Shepp Show Health
New Chair of RHAC:
Julian Wright
Welcome & Thank
SMC Update
RCS Promotional
Videos
Relay for Life
Rural & Remote
Health Up Close in Mt
Isa
Planning Day
Valued Examiner will
be missed
In Safe Hands: Local
Aboriginal Health
Workers
RCS Ball & 10 Year
Reunion/Family Day
Celebrations
Announcements
Social Club news
2
2
3
3
4
5
5
6
7
7
8
9
10
10
Thumbs Up 11
OHSE Tips
Contact Details
12
12
The last six months have
been so busy that the year
has slipped us by. Its hard to
believe that next week is
Xmas, and soon the new
year will be upon us.
2013 is going to be even
busier. Current students will
be returning on 7th January,
while our new MDs will
commence in February. The
school year will then finish in
December, making it the
longest school year for the
RHAC.
New staff members have
commenced including our
new Chair of RHAC,
Professor Julian Wright (see
page 3). We would like to
thank Professor Bill Adam for
holding the fort for the last
12 months and we warmly
welcome Julian into his new
role and he and his family
to Shepparton.
Also we welcome Ms Lisa
Collins who commenced
this week in the position of
Undergraduate Programs
Manager (Maternity Leave
position). More new staff
welcomes are
acknowledged on page 3.
We have had a quite a lot
happening in the past few
months, so in this issue we
bring you up to date with
the happenings at RHAC
such as the annual multi
cultural dinner, The Great
Gatsby Ball, the RCS
Reunion/ Family day just to
name a few….
We also have an update
from our colleagues next
door at the SMC.
Peter Ferguson and Anne
Marmo bring us their story
about their trip to Mt Isa‘s
Rural and Remote Health
on page 6.
We also present the launch
of ―In Safe Hands‖ the book
acknowledging the
contribution of local
Aboriginal Health Workers.
(See page 8).
This year the RCS
commemorates it‘s 10 year
anniversary. We
celebrated by having a
student /staff reunion, and
family day in October
which was fun. VIP guest
was Professor Dawn DeWitt,
who then spent a week at
the RHAC doing some
teaching.
Sadly we acknowledge the
passing of a valued RHM
examiner, Jennifer Bennie
who has contributed
greatly to the RHAC and we
extend our condolences to
her family.
This issue also brings the
usual articles, such as
Sharing Recipes, Birth
announcements and
Thumbs Up. We also include
a new section on OHSE tips
reminding all to keep safe.
On that note, I would like to
wish you all a very Merry
Christmas and wonderful
and safe New Year. Looking
forward to seeing you all
and reporting your stories
again next year.
Please note the next
newsletter‘s deadline below
and ensure you send me
your articles so I can share
your news.
~ cheers Lucia Rossi ,
Newsletter Editor.
If you have any interesting stories or articles you would like to have
published, please email me at luciar@unimelb.edu.au
BY NEXT DEADLINE: 1st March 2013

Prof’s Word: ―In safe hands‖
On the 28th
November I
spoke at the
launch of ―In Safe
Hands‖, authored
by Chana Orloff
and sponsored
by the RHAC.
The book consists of a series of small
biographies of local aboriginal health
workers. The book is beautifully
produced. But its importance lies in its
contents, wonderful stories of people
who travelled a difficult road to a
difficult, but rewarding, career. Many
worked in less skilled jobs until they
realised they could aspire to
professional qualifications: And then
had the courage and perseverance to
achieve those qualifications.
The rewards of contributing back to
their community through their work, is
complicated by the stresses of day to
day exposure to illness in their families.
They are exceptional people.
One impact of their stories is the
sense of awe it engenders in those
of us with more privileged
backgrounds. But the most
important impact of their stories is
that they provide role models for
others.
It is hoped the stories will help
provide goals and pathways for
the young in the indigenous
community: And help them seek
to maximise their potential for
educational achievement and the
contribution they can make to
their communities.
Promoting the education of the
young in the aboriginal
community is a key component of
the RHAC, and the University of
Melbourne as a whole. The major
purpose of the RHAC is to train
medical, and other health workers.
The number of Indigenous students
we have trained is embarrassingly
low, and is something we wish to
address.
To this end the RHAC was involved in
the early days of the Academy of
Health Sport and Education in
Shepparton, which seeks to help
aboriginal students through
secondary study and set them on
the path to tertiary study.
The RHAC is currently involved, ably
lead by Peter Ferguson, in the
delivering the Masters of Health in
Social Sciences to indigenous
students in Shepparton. These
activities, together with the broader
University program of Murrup Barak,
which facilitates tertiary study for
aboriginal students, are evidence of
our intent. However we would like to
do more in partnership with other
educational providers, and the
community.
We should look to the future.
~Bill Adam
Acting Head of RHAC
Shepp Show Health Checks...
UoM medical students and staff from RHAC and Lister House ran a Health Checks
and Information stand and the popular Teddy Bears‘ Hospital at the Shepparton
Show on 12 th and 13 th October.
We offered BP checks, diabetes risk assessments, screening tests for macular degeneration
and a wide range of information pamphlets on hypertension, smoking,
alcohol, mental health problems etc.
Alerting people if their blood pressure was high or they were at risk of diabetes and
suggesting they see their GP, providing information about different health issues or
just providing a listening ear to the
elderly or those with specific concerns were all worthwhile activities, rewarded by
free entry to the Show!
~ Helen Malcolm, DDMSE, Shepparton
ERC student, Michael O’Malley, helping out at the health checks and information stand at the Shepparton Show 13 th October
2012. (Photo taken by Namit Sharma.)
Page 2

Volume 9, Issue 3
New Chair of RHAC: Julian Wright
I‘d like to introduce myself to those I have not yet met!
Since arriving from the UK recently, my family and I have
been overwhelmed with the very warm welcome we
have received. I must especially thank Linda who made
the move so easy by being so thoughtful with advance
arrangements and taking care of us in our first week,
Carmel for finding us a house to live in and Bill for
welcoming us at the airport and for his kindness to us on
our visit in July.
I should tell you a little about my family and hope you will
get to know us all much better in the near future.
My wife Sian was a nurse until about seven years ago
when she stopped to look after our two children. She is
very laid back in nature and is a truly brilliant cook! I
should warn you all never to play her at Scrabble and
always to try to get her on your side at a quiz! She loves
music and crime dramas on TV – she must know of a
million ways to dispose of a husband by now!
My son, Seb, is an adventurous eleven year old who loves
a challenge, he was really keen to live in another
country. He loves Sci-fi novels, sport (of all kinds) but
mostly football and his beloved Manchester United. He is
a great chess player – I haven‘t beaten him regularly
since he was nine.
My daughter Ellie is nine and has already worked out a
million ways of getting round her Dad. She loves playing
the piano, playing almost anything on her computer or
Wii, baking with her Mum and also plays a mean game
of chess although I can at least beat her some of the
time.
My main passion in life is music, I
play piano and guitar and write
songs as a hobby. I am also pretty
heavily into sport, football and
rugby, although now more as an
armchair supporter than as a
player. If anyone can explain
Aussie Rules to me in simple terms
please do so..
Coming over from the UK we have found so many
changes beyond the fantastic weather; that distances
between towns are measured in time taken (as the roads
are good and the traffic is rarely an issue), also that
people everywhere are so friendly – whether we were
buying a car or floor polish last week, everyone we met
wanted to talk and give us a tip about living in
Shepparton.
It is fantastic to learn about all the great work done at
the RHAC and it is clear we provide a very high standard
of education for our medical students. I know we will
have many challenges ahead and I look forward to
working with you all in the future.
Please pop into my office and say hello when you are
passing!
Jules
~Julian Wright. Chair, RHAC
Welcome & Thank You...
We would like to make welcome some more new staff to the Rural Health Academic Centre.
Dr Leslie Fisher, Deputy Director of Medical Student Education (Bendigo), Dr Rosemarie Shea, Senior Lecturer Geriatrics
(Ballarat) Dr Rodney Reddy, Lecturer Medicine (Ballarat) all who commenced on the 6 th August 2012
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr Helen Malcolm as Deputy Director of Medical Student
Education, Shepparton, effective Monday 3 rd September, 2012. Helen has been actively carrying out many functions
of the role since the departure of Dr Harnden earlier this year, and has now officially accepted the position.
A big thank you both to Bill Adam and to Lisa Cheshire for their wonderful commitment and contribution in the holding
of the fort in their acting roles of Chair of RHAC and Director of Medical Student Education, respectively.
Page 3

Shepparton Medical Centre Update...
Staff
During the year SMC has welcomed
and farewelled staff.
The following staff have joined SMC
in recent months.
Dr Kushdev Singh, GP,
commenced May 2012
Dr Jie Zhang, GP Registrar,
commenced August 2012
Jan Wallace, Registered
Nurse, commenced
September 2012
Lynne Martin, Receptionist,
commenced September 2012
Cathy Kelly, part time
Receptionist, commenced
July 2012
Staff who have left SMC
Dr Solange Adad, currently
working as a GP in Port
Hedland WA
Janice Symes, Receptionist
Melanie Green, Receptionist
Leonie Wisely, Nurse
Students
Early in the year students from
Japan, Scotland and Wales were
assisting in the practice.
The past few months has seen an
increase in the number of student
activity which consisted of nine
Semester 12 students (five week GP
rotation), two ERC students (two
days per week), and two
Ambulatory Care students.
We also had two nursing students
from GOTAFE undertake their
Community placement with us.
Some of the comments from
students after their placement
included:
I was deeply impressed by the
rapidity and ease with which we
were integrated into the SMC
team.
Would definitely recommend
SMC to colleagues doing the GP
rotation
Great experience
Thank you very much for all the
teaching and mentoring we have
had!
Overall, an excellent clinic.
Would highly recommend it for
future students.
Awards
In November Dr Derek Wooff was
recognised for his strong community
engagement when he was
presented with the New Rural
Doctors award at the Rural
Workforce Agency Victoria, 2012
Victorian Rural Doctors‘ Awards
dinner.
"It's fantastic to be able to teach
students as future GPs, both undergraduates
and post-graduates, and
it is proving me with a fresh
challenge", said Derek.
Above: Derek Woofe with his award. .
In 2011 Dr Solange Adad was an
award recipient for Outstanding
Contribution to Rural Communities.
~ Maureen Hull
Practice Manager
Above: Drs Jane Gall and Derek Woofe with
medical student Nia Jackson who was from
Wales.
Page 4
Left: Jaideep and
Priyanka who were our
ERC students in
2011/2012. They
presented at a GP
conference, with Dr Chris
Harnden former SMC
Medical Director and GP

Volume 9, Issue 3
Rural Clinical School Promotional Videos
Early in 2012 Wangaratta‘s RCS Open
Day tour for Year 1 MD students had
to be cancelled twice due to
flooding, road closures and inclement
weather.
Because of this, prospective students
were unable to visit the Wangaratta
facilities to experience firsthand the
benefits that Wangaratta offers.
Due to a tight timeframe for
preferences to be submitted, the
students and staff produced a
promotional video that students were
able to view to get a feel for the
Wangaratta site.
The video, despite its very quick
turnaround received wonderful
feedback, and MMS decided to roll
out promotional videos for all of the
Clinical School sites.
Given the change from the MBBS
program to MD course, students no
longer had the 3 years prior to clinical
placements to find out more
information from fellow students and
peers about the clinical schools.
Therefore they have to rely heavily on
information gained online.
The intention for these videos is to
provide more information about
each clinical school for prospective
students and to reflect the ‗feel‘ of
each site. The videos are felt to be a
very beneficial tool for prospective
graduate medical students who
during their selection interview are
asked to preference which clinical
school zone they would like to spend
their clinical years studying in.
Over July and August the large
project rolled out as we prepared
briefs, website content and of course
the filming schedules for all sites and
coordinate students, teaching staff,
Sub Deans, hospital access and
everyone in-between for filming to
begin.
Filming took place at Bendigo,
Ballarat, Shepparton and
Wangaratta and also for the ERC
program.
There was a lot of logistical juggling
preparing for the filming, and we
would like to extend a warm thank
you to all staff, hospital staff, students
and willing patients who were
involved in the production of these
films, with a special thanks to Kay,
Jenni, Rita, Kate, Stephanie and
Michelle Curtis with their work coordinating,
preparing information
and overseeing the filming.
The videos are now available on the
Melbourne Medical School website
with a quick fact information page
for each Clinical School.
Bendigo
http://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/
study-here/zones/rural/bendigo
Ballarat
http://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/
study-here/zones/rural/ballarat
Shepparton
http://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/
study-here/zones/rural/shepparton
Wangaratta
http://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/
study-here/zones/rural/wangaratta
Extended Rural Cohort
http://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/
study-here/zones/rural/erc
~ Joelene Mitchell
Administration Officer
Relay for Life
Moovin Health students attended and participated in the
Relay for life on Saturday 20 th October 2012. The team also
took time to conduct free health checks for participants and
run a Teddy Bear hospital for the children to have their
teddies treated at the Princess Park in Shepparton.
―(A) Moovin' Health team of nine MD2s (participated) in
the 18 hour overnight relay and the next morning whilst a few
people stayed on the track to finish the relay the rest of us
(plus a couple of other less sleep deprived students) ran a
Teddy Bear Hospital for the kids and Health Checks
for adults. The health checks were aimed at raising
awareness of modifiable risk factors such as weight loss,
exercise, diet, smoking etc. The team raised over $1350 for
the Cancer Council. We hope to enter a team again next
year!‖ said RCS med student and participant Eva Curley.
Page 5

Rural and Remote Health Up Close in Mt Isa
As most of you would know, our
UDRH is one of eleven situated
around Australia. ARHEN (the
Australian Rural Health Education
Network) is the peak body for UDRHs
and has established a number of
staff networks to facilitate
communication and coordination
between members of the network.
Usually these networks meet via
teleconference however several try
to meet face to face at least once
annually, taking the opportunity to
visit and learn about member UDRHs
at the same time.
This year the Executive Officers
network and Aboriginal Staff Alliance
met at James Cook University‘s
Mount Isa Centre for Rural and
Remote Health (MICRRH) in the Gulf
Country of outback Queensland.
Anne Marmo and Peter Ferguson
travelled to Mount Isa to represent
our UDRH and to gain insight into the
unique challenges of delivering the
UDRH programme in a remote
setting. Peter Ferguson also stayed
on to attend MICRRH‘s 6 th Biennial
Remote Health Conference - "Are
you remotely interested... in
prevention; building a culture of
safety"
MICRRH is located in the Mount Isa
Hospital grounds and houses a skills
laboratory, computer lab and
lecture rooms as well as staff offices.
The Yacca library is next door and
teaching for JCU‘s Bachelor of
Nursing Sciences takes place nearby
at Tarabada House where the
Executive Officers Network meeting
was held.
Further facilities are soon to
commence construction including a
rehabilitation centre, new skills lab
and extended teaching facilities at
Tarabada House. MICRRH literally
needs to move a mountain (a small
one) to build the first two as their
current buildings back directly onto
the side of said geographical
feature.
Accommodation for 37 students is
located at three sites within walking
distance of MICRRH with
construction of more about to
commence – no mean feat in a
town where the mining boom has
driven up property prices and led to
a serious shortage of affordable
rental accommodation. MICRRH
facilitates student placements across
the entire area serviced by Mount
Isa Health Services (MIHS) so also has
accommodation at other locations
including Longreach (7 hours to the
southeast), Normanton (7 hours to
the north, just south of the Gulf of
Carpentaria) and a little closer at
Boulia (population 205).
The MIHS District covers 380,000
square kilometres, an area 140,000
square kilometres larger than the
entire state of Victoria, and includes
towns from the Northern Territory
border to Richmond 400km to the
east, north to communities in the
Gulf of Carpentaria and 150km south
to the tiny settlement of Dajarra.
Despite this huge area the
population of the district is smaller
than that of urban Shepparton. The
traditional owners of the Mount Isa
region are the Kalkadoon people
who make up 19% of the population.
The town is dominated by the huge
copper and silver-lead zinc mines
and processing facilities located on
its outskirts. The smoke stack from the
lead smelter is said to be visible for
up to 40km and two out of every
three vehicles in town seem to be
white Landcruiser utes sporting
flashing yellow lights on top to ensure
that they are seen by the drivers of
the enormous trucks when in the
mines.
While it‘s not possible to enter the
working mines a tour of the Hard
Times mine organised as part of the
meeting programme gave a taste of
work underground and its associated
hazards, including a simulated blast
which could be felt through every
bone in the body. In the working
mines blasting takes place daily at
8am and 8pm.
The prevailing colour of the
landscape is a deep, rust red, quite
a shock when coming from the
vibrant green of winter rain fed grass
in the Goulburn Valley. The view from
the late afternoon flights to and from
the Mount over the various ranges
was spectacular, treating those on
board to lines of red ranges that
caught the setting sun like constant
sets of waves at the beach. The way
that the fading light was captured
tended to highlight even more the
redness of the surrounding country,
softened only by spinifex and small,
spindly eucalypts.
The programme for the conference
which Peter Ferguson attended
included late afternoon drinks and
nibbles at Lake Moondarra, the
nearby water catchment which is
about 25 kms from the Mount. It‘s a
pretty big impoundment in an
otherwise stark landscape and as
you can imagine is a great life
source for creatures of all
descriptions in the area.
(Continued on page 7)
Page 6

Volume 9, Issue 3
(Continued from page 6)
About 50 conference delegates enjoyed the function on the
eastern foreshore with the huge lake providing a magnificent
canvas for the setting sun – it really is big sky country out
there! Whilst enjoying the scenery delegates were also privy
to the sight of the biggest flock of hawks feeding on
something sizeable nearby with lots of screeching and
swooping as they feasted – which must have been the
image that the birds would have seen as they looked at the
group drinking and talking on the foreshore.
~ Peter Ferguson (Lecturer, Indigenous Rural Health Studies &
Strategic Development Research) &
Anne Marmo (Research & Graduate Studies Administration Officer)
Planning Day 2012
The RHAC Performance and Planning Day 2012 was held on Thursday 29th November.
A great (I hope), but exhausting day, was had by all: Producing outcomes that need further
consideration by the executive and staff early in the New Year. Key issues for consideration were:
To refine the vision, and then set the stepping stones, to achieve 10-15 aboriginal health workers/students at
the RGAC/SMC in 15 years
How to set the stepping stones to implement GRAHNITE in practices in the Goulburn Valley/Hume region to
facilitate the vision of useful collaboration with the Medicare locals, to achieve both their and our aims
How to better organise future planning days to allow more time for planning without losing the utility of the
review of programs.
Other issues, not outlined above, are not forgotten. Thanks to all for their contributions
~ Bill Adam, Deputy Chair of RHAC
The Passing of a Valued RHM Examiner
Its with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of RHACs valued RHM
examiners, Jennifer Bennie. Jennifer was an extremely energetic, committed
nurse / trainer / administrator in the Goulburn Valley for all her adult life and was
very passionate about providing high quality health care.
Between 300 – 400 people attended her funeral in Strathmerton on 16 th November
2012 and as a show of respect, many local nurses and girl guides made a Guard
of Honour at the church.
Over the last couple of years Jennifer examined the RHM students for their final
placement presentations. We are thankful that Jennifer contributed to the RHM in
such a positive manner – she will be missed by the RHM team, students and the
wider Goulburn Valley community.
~ Maxine Wilson, RHM Student Placement Officer
Page 7

In Safe Hands – Local Aboriginal Health Workers
Chana Orloff, Senior Project Officer at the Shepparton
Campus of the University of Melbourne‘s‘ Rural Health
Academic Centre, has developed a publication that
recognises the work and contributions of local Aboriginal
Health Workers in the Shepparton region.
Work on the publication began in June and the book was
launched at Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative‘s‘
Medical Centre on Wednesday 28 November 2012 by the
CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation, Ms Jill Gallagher.
The Publication features 14 biographies of people working
in Aboriginal Health; documenting personal and
professional rewards as well as the challenges they face.
The publication capitalises on other opportunities by
providing University Of Melbourne information, useful
websites and career information about the Health Sector
to inspire young Indigenous students and even people
contemplating a career change. To formally recognise
these dedicated health workers and their unique
professional work were things that drove Chana to
produce the publication.
Aboriginal health works see firsthand the
impacting factors affecting Aboriginal people‘s health.
They have extensive cultural and psychological
knowledge that is essential in the efforts to improve
Aboriginal health. ‗I have an immense amount of
admiration for these people because they‘re making a
difference to help close the health gaps in Indigenous
health and that‘s challenging work‘ says Chana.
Artwork
‗Hands of Culture‘ the artwork featured in the publication
was painted in 2010 by Brett Wilson who is an Aboriginal
artist of Yorta Yorta descent. Brett‘s work has been
exhibited at the Koorie Heritage Trust, and his pieces
grace both public and private collections.
Above: Copy of the book at the launch
Left: Taken at Rumbalara Medical Centre - L-R Professor Bill Adam,
Deputy Chair of RHAC, Ms Felicia Dean, CEO of Rumbalara Aboriginal
Cooperative Chana Orloff, Senior Project Officer RHAC, Ms Jill
Gallagher, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Organisation (VACCHO) and Rev. Dr Helen Malcolm, Deputy Director of
Medical Student Education, RHAC
Medical Quotes:
―The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We
can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There
are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The
poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality.
There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.‖
― Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa
Page 8

Volume 9, Issue 3
Great Gatsby Rural Clinical School Ball
About 100 people attended the Great Gatsby RCS Ball, held on the Saturday 6th
October , including four staff members. Prof Dawn DeWitt made an appearance later
in the evening.
The theme for the ball as its title hints was the 1920's Flapper era and all students and
staff were in full garb and looked fantastic.
The venue (The Vault) was a perfect place to hold a 20‘s themed evening, with
chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and feather boas and candelabra on the
tables.
There was only one thing was missing… there was not a Charleston to be seen all
evening.
The Rural Health Academic Centre‘s Rural Clinical School celebrated
their 10 Year anniversary in 2012 and commemorated the day on
October 7th with a Family Day Reunion.
Activities arranged for the family day consisted of a BBQ and Jazz
Band. The children had a Jumping Castle and some Face painting to
keep them entertained.
About 60 were in attendance. Some of the VIPs guests included: Prof.
Dawn DeWitt, The Hon. Dr Sharman Stone, and GVH CEO Kerryn
Healy to name a few.
A good day was had by all.
Does anyone recognise these staff members?
Rural Clinical School 10 Year Reunion
Photo: Bill Adam, Graeme & Marg Jones, Georgia von Guttner, Dawn DeWitt, Darius von Guttner
Sharing Recipes...
Neapolitan Rose Cake
Back to Basics Butter Cream
Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 two pound bag powder sugar (about 7-8 cups)
1 tablespoon good quality vanilla
4 tablespoons milk
dash salt
Instructions
Not only is the butter cream Neapolitan, but
the cake flavors are as well. Make a chocolate cake, a
strawberry cake, and a white cake in 8in pans. You can
make the cakes up from scratch or you can use
commercial cake mixes. Whatever takes your fancy!
1. Put room temperature butter, vanilla, and salt into mixer. Add in powder sugar one cup at a time, alternating with
the milk until you have used it all.
2. If your frosting is too thick you can certainly add more milk. It is the perfect consistency for to pipe roses using the
1M or 2D tip.
3. Use basic butter cream for the white and strawberry layers, but add 1 scant teaspoon of strawberry extract to the
pink butter cream
Page 9

Announcements...
Births...…
Congratulation to Melissa, James and Hamish Seymour on the arrival of
baby Patrick Nelson who was born 5 th September 2012 weighing 7lb
14oz. Mother and son doing well, brother and Dad ecstatic!
Left: Patrick Seymour
Also congratulations to Linda & Jim Foottit who have become
the proud first time grandparents of little Jett James
Dyer , who was born at 5.34pm on Friday 19th October
2012, weighing in at 7lb 8oz. Congratulations are also extended
to the proud parents Sammi & Jason.
Left: Proud grandma Linda & baby Jett.
Far Left: Jett Dyer.
Social Club News...
RHAC 2012 Multi-Cultural Dinner
Melbourne Cup Day 2012
Last
Linda Foottit & Jane Tomany
On the Wednesday 29th August
5.30pm we had our annual Multi-
Cultural Dinner.
As always the evening was a very
pleasant and fun sharing one
with lots of wonderful culinary
skills coming to the fore.
This year‘s winners were:
Most Outstanding Main:
Bill Adam‘s Beef Salad
Most Outstanding
Presentation: Gary Huang‘s
Dessert
Most Creative Food: won by
the team of Dental & BOH
students‘ with their dish
‗Bursting Balls‘
Most Outstanding
Dessert :Carolina Radwin‘s
Baclava.
Well done to all contributors.
Page 10
On the 6th November RHAC staff
celebrated the annual Melbourne
Cup Day by working in the morning
and attending a race afternoon tea.
Sadly we were unable to watch the
race due to some technical
problems, but were able to hear it
run on the radio.
We ran two $1 sweeps and two $2
sweeps.
The horse winners were:
1st Green moon (14)
2nd Fiorente (11)
3rd Jakkalberry (3)
Last Ethipia (10)
Winning punters were:
$2 sweep winners -
1st Julian Wright & Lyn (SMC)
2nd Trent Doyle & Cathy (SMC)
3rd Amanda DiBella & Maurreen
Hull (SMC)
$1 sweep winners -
1st Georgai von Guttner & Lyn
(SMC)
2nd Helen Malcolm & Maxine
Wilson
3rd Lou Bush & Jenni Goodwin
Last Linda Foottit & Beth Hatch
Congratulations to all winners! Better
luck next year to all the others.
We didn‘t run a best hat competition
this year, but if i had to give out a
prize for best hats, i would have
given it to Bill Adam (sadly no pics
available of the hat.)

Volume 9, Issue 3
A Big Thumbs Up...
If you know of anyone who deserves a big thumbs up, let Lucia know so that we can make
them suitably embarrassed!
Ph: 5823 4503, or send an email to luciar@unimelb.edu.au
Look who got equal billing with Julian Assange & Pussy Riot on the front page of Sweden's major
newspaper ....
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/forlossningsradda-kan-bli-friska
Our very own Helen Haines, however, if you don't happen to read Swedish - its all about her research on the
Fear of birth and Caesarean. Congrats Helen & Swedish Co.
The Shepparton Runner‘s Club hold various running and/or walking
marathons three days a week at Princess Park. A few of our staff
members at the RHAC participated in the 10km run a while back and
were feeling very proud of themselves after the race and when this
picture was taken. Do you recognize them? Well done girls!
There are 4 women who are absolutely powering ahead in the Masters in Health Social Science and all
passed with flying colours through all subjects in both semesters. Two RHAC employees Karyn Ferguson and
Raelene Nixon have had an exceptional year and should be congratulated for all the hard work that they
have put in. Karyn received 95% for her final Community Development essay as well as an 87% for her last
Social Analysis 2 essay. Tui Crumpen who is also University employee at ASHE received 97% overall as her
mark for Community Development which is a subject that all of the students have a long history in. Well
done ladies!
On Friday 23rd of November several Shepparton doctors were awarded for their contribution to rural
communities. Our very own Margi Gould received a 2012 Victorian Rural Doctor Award presented by
RWAV in the category of "outstanding Contribution to rural communities". Dr Derek Woofe (SMC) received
an award for ―new rural doctor‖ (having worked in a community for less than 3 years and displaying strong
community engagement). Also awarded were Dr Ronald Tomkins for 35 years of service to their rural
communities, and Dr Mark Harris and Dr Satpal Singh in the category of ―outstanding contribution to rural
communities‖. The event was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The awards are in their 8th year and
"celebrate and recognize the commitment and dedication of doctors, and their families to their rural
communities". The judging panel consisted of representatives of RWAV, RACGP,ACRRM, RDAV, AMA & Rural
Medical Family Network. Our congratulations are extended to all.
Congratulations to ERC Medical student, Amy Fitzgerald, for receiving Honours and the Valedictorian of
the entire Melbourne Medical School Graduating Class 2012. Well done!
Congratulations also to Donna Jackson (RHAC Resources Manager at the
Shepparton Campus) for receiving first class Honours in her Masters in Human
Resources Management course. Well done, Donna!
RHAC Shepparton Receptionist, Lou Bush was one of the competitors in the
Tahbilk Bridge to Vines Head Goulburn Rowing Regatta held in Nagambie in
October. 720 competitors participated this year which was I believe fantastic
result. Although the Shepparton Women‘s Squad did not win, it was a great
effort by the team. Well done to Lou and Co. (Photo Courtesy of Shepparton News)
Page 11

Healthy Bites...
Rural Health Academic Centre
OHSE Tips & Hints
OHSE is the responsibility of all staff , students, contractors
and everyone using our facilities.
~ Ensure you are familiar with
fire drill/evacuation
procedures
~ Minimize needle stick
injuries by following correct
procedures
~ Be mindful of slipping and
tripping hazards
~ Safe driving in extremely wet
conditions
Note: When staff successfully complete any OHSE online training
please ensure you forward a copy of your achievement
certificate(s) to Shirley Bekirofski in Finance/OHSE (Shepparton
Campus).
RURAL
HEALTH
ACADEMIC
CENTRE
Ballarat Office
University of Melbourne
Rural Health Academic Centre
”Dunvegan”
806 Mair Street
BALLARAT VIC 3353
Phone: 03 5332 3190
Fax: 03 5332 4519
Email: rhac-info@unimelb.edu.au
Shepparton Office
University of Melbourne
Rural Health Academic Centre
49 Graham Street
PO Box 6500
SHEPPARTON VIC 3632
Phone: 03 5823 4500
Fax: 03 5823 4555
Email: rhac-info@unimelb.edu.au
Wangaratta Office
University of Melbourne
Rural Health Academic Centre
C/- Northeast Health
Green Street
PO Box 386
WANGARATTA Vic 3676
Phone: 03 5722 0498
Fax: 03 5721 9184
Email: rhac-info@unimelb.edu.au
Web Address:
http://
www.ruralhealth.unimelb.
edu.au/
HEALTHY BITES DEADLINE—
1st March 2013
Please ensure you get
your articles to
luciar@unimelb.edu.au