RAW 2008 - RAHMS and all NSW/ACT Clubs

The 3-6 October saw almost 130 allied health, nursing and medical students attend the second Rural Appreciation Weekend (RAW) on a sheep, cattle and cropping property in Dunedoo.  Dunedoo is in the Central West Slopes and Plains of NSW.  The host property is owned by Stephen and Daphne Nott, and Steve is a 5th generation farmer on the property.

The delegates of RAW came from 10 Rural health Clubs across NSW and the ACT.  RAHMS hosted the event, with participants also coming from ARMS, BREAATHHE, CRANC, MARHS, MIRAGE, NERCHA, RHUUWS and SHARP. RAW is designed to provide a rural experience to students, insight about rural life and rural practice.  2008 also saw the promotion of team-building as a platform to allow for multi-disciplinary and inter-university networking.  Delegates 'roughed it' for the weekend, sleeping in swags and tents, braving the elements - including torrential rain on the Sunday night!

Delegates were able to participate in a number of rural activities throughout the weekend including listening to guest speakers; tours, competitive team-building exercises, a stockmanship exhibition, an Indigenous cross cultural awareness workshop from local Waradjuri men and a workshop on the do's and don'ts of treating snake envenomations from the famous snake man from Sydney's Wonderland.

For more information on RAW please contact Shannon Nott, or click here to read Shannon's full report. 
Several delegates have also written up reports; Amanda Francis (SHARP), Rob Batisti (SHARP), Viktor (SHARP)

"I was stunned by the ingenuity of activities and sheer amount of effort that the Nott family and RAHMS team had invested to make yet another brilliant rural health event" Rob, SHARP

"We all scrubbed up for an awesome dinner while it pelted down with rain!  Tents got flooded and a river made it's way into the campsite!  Everyone was so carefree and not once complained about the rain.  We all dealt with whatever was thrown our way - can't say we did it in style.  Mud and flannos!" Amanda, SHARP

"I come away with a greater appreciation for our farmers and with the knowledge that there is a wealth of opportunity in rural Australia.  I encourage anyone who has not had the opportunity this year to ATTEND.  You can have a rich and full life out here in the bush so why come for just one weekend next year?" Viktor, SHARP