Held in September immediately following VibeAlive, Campfire was again hosted at PichiRichiPark, between Quorn and Port Augusta. It was a beautiful location, nestled in and surrounded by the beginnings of the FlindersRanges. Highlights of the academic program included insight into the day of an Aboriginal Health Worker from three different perspectives, and an initiative in the APY lands in far north SA by audiologists. Also inspirational was 'Nugga' Edwards who ran a Men's Shed in Port Augusta for retired, aging men to help fight against mental illness, and Dr Lian-Lloyd who spoke about his fight against the recent SA country health plan. We had student presentations from a few of the delegates who spoke about various interesting placements or research projects in rural / remote SA. Skills sessions included massage (essential, and everyone's favourite) strapping and a first aid talk followed by a spin in a real ambulance!
Especially as we had members from interstate attending it was a great opportunity to meet new people, catch up with older friends, and network with other clubs. In the past we have all found prospective executive members at Campfire, so we're hoping that will again be the case. Nothing beats a campfire to relax, chat, gossip and sing around. Saturday night was a murder mystery, featuring a country and western 'whodunnit' at one of the local pubs.We received a lot of useful feedback and ideas for the future of rural health education in Australia from our delegates in the final day's discussion, and some more ideas for Campfire next year. If anyone wants to run with the dating service idea, let me know!
We'd like to thank everyone involved for their sponsorship and support, especially the NRHSN (our major sponsors,) Seagrims Financial Services, MDA National, Country Health SA, Rural Doctors Workforce Agency, Australian Dental Association, City of Port Augusta, NT General Practice Education, Australian Nurses and Midwives, Wavelength, and of course AURHA, FURHS and ROUSTAH. Jasmine Banner - AURHA
