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NRHA Conference 2009
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There was an enthusiastic presence of NRHSN students at the 10th National Rural Health Conference hosted by National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) in Cairns from 17-20 March 2009.
The theme was “Rural Health: The Place To Be”. Held in a spectacular location with inspiring presentations by industry leaders and other fantastic speakers, this professional conference provided second-to-none opportunities to mingle and network with 920 other delegates interested in the health and wellbeing of the 32 per cent of Australians who live in rural and remote Australia.
With an exceptional program of research reports, practical case studies, arts-in-health activities, the conference provided plenty of time for reflection and discussion on the successes and failures of the past 20 years in rural and remote health. It also brought the voices of the rural and remote health sector together to unite in a common goal to celebrate innovation and steer reform regarding what we need to demand from ourselves, governments and stakeholders to guide improvements in the health and wellbeing of country Australians.
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NRHSN and student involvement
As one of the member bodies of the NRHSN, we were excited to have many of our student members attend, be actively involved in this huge event, and represent our voice as the future of rural health on what is needed to make rural health the place to be for more of our peers now and into the future! Students made up approximately 120 of the delegates, and were funded through the NRHSN, ACRRM, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and other programs.
Some of the things students got up to at the conference included:
- Community Skills Day: RHINO students presented 3 x 30-45 minute workshop sessions on ‘Managing multiple medications’, ‘Bush first aid’, and ‘Intro to University life and NRHSN Rural Health Clubs’.
- NRHSN booth: Many enthusiastic NRHSN student helpers helped man the NRHSN exhibition booth which received many visits from conference delegates, keen to chat & learn more about the NRHSN. We also gave out many copies of our publications and DVDs.
- Student breakfast: The NRHA hosted a picnic style breakfast on the Tuesday of the Conference on the esplanade, providing another great opportunity for students to network.
- Scribing: Many students assisted in scribing conference concurrent sessions.
- Panels: Matt Cane (NRHSN Secretary) joined one of the conference panels as a student representative. Matt spoke about the NRHSN, raising many issues that our members around the country feel passionately about.
- Workshops: NRHSN member Josh Crase ran an interactive, engaging and practical workshop for academics and clinical preceptors on "The student placement experience".
- Concurrent sessions: Luke Smith (NRHSN Co-chair) and Amanda Hall (NPM) presented a paper in the main conference hall on the NRHSN 2009 Impact study.
- Posters: Several students had posters displayed at the conference.
- Media: Students were involved in several media interviews were conducted throughout the conference.
Thank you & well done to Rachel Bourke, Tahlia Heath and the NRHA team for organising student involvement in this conference, ensuring that we were not only well represented but enjoyed unprecedented opportunities to be included in the conference activities and contribute to this important event.
More information can be found on the official conference website.
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