Health students gain raw appreciation of country life

The 2nd Annual Rural Appreciation Weekend (RAW) was held in Dunedoo over the October long weekend for more than 130 health students from 11 universities around NSW and the ACT.

Eleven members from the University of Wollongong’s Rural Health Club (SHARP – Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations) attended the weekend of activities hosted by the University of New South Wales’ Rural Health Club (RAHMS – Rural Allied Health and Medical Society).

The idea was developed by Shannon Nott, a third-year medical student at UNSW last year and is held on his family property. RAW is designed to give students a taste for life on the farm, harness their interest in rural health, as well as give students from the multi-disciplines of health, the opportunity to network with students studying nursing, medicine, psychology, occupational therapy, nutrition, pharmacy and other health degrees.

Over the four days, students were involved in a range of activities including a Welcome to Country ceremony, a farm tour, Aboriginal bush session, a snake exhibition, shearing and sheep dog demonstrations, a B&S Ball, a film night, a Prince Hill wine tour as well as inspiring talks from Dunedoo GP Dr Tilak Dissanayake and Dubbo-based Indigenous health nurse, Louise Lawler.

A highlight of the weekend was the RAW competition. SHARP students teamed with students from Charles Sturt University and the University of Sydney to take out the overall competition with winning performances and records in the challenges of stockmanship, fencing and putting up a tent blindfolded!

SHARP was presented with a plaque acknowledging its significant contribution to, and sponsorship of, the successful event.

SHARP was represented by Kay Kent and Rob Battisti, Erin Byrnes, Sarah Cremona, Theresa Crossing, Teena Downton, Amanda Francis, Viktor Ko, Marisa Saverimuttu, Perrie Simovic, and Rohan Wilson.

Last reviewed: 10 October, 2008