Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health

17/03/2026

The Broken Hill Social Work Network celebrated World Social Work Day, today. Hosted at the BHUDRH, the event brought together local social workers and social work students to celebrate the profession while fostering collaboration and connection across the region.

We spoke with James and Hannah, Social Work Academics at the BHUDRH, about what this profession means to them. Today, they reflected on their work and acknowledged the important contributions social workers make in rural and remote communities.

Happy World Social Work Day. 🩵

14/03/2026

⭐ The AUS HEARTS project is hiring ⭐

The team is looking for a Health Service Engagement Officer. This individual will support the implementation of AUS HEARTS in primary healthcare services located in Far West and Western NSW.

The role involves engaging health services/practices, developing effective working relationships with healthcare teams, onboarding and coaching and facilitating quality improvement activities.

Sound like the dream role for you? Follow the link, we'd love to hear from you!

https://tinyurl.com/2jn6jsvm 🤩

13/03/2026

Can the weather get any more glorious this week? 🤩🌞

Georgina, Zara, Joseph, Jessica and Samantha - Social Work and Nursing students from University of New England, AU , Adelaide University and JCU: James Cook University, Australia arrived this week and the Broken Hill weather really turned it on for them.

These fantastic individuals will be attending a rural health placement at a local host stie and while they do, they will continue to receive academic and wellbeing support, along with a safe place to stay from us!💙

11/03/2026

Is it even a Broken Hill placement if you didn’t get a photo on the Big Bench? 🤣

Jalil and Marley from Adelaide University arrived in Broken Hill last week to begin their rural placement – but not without a few challenges along the way. After setting out on their journey, flooding along the Barrier Highway meant they had to turn around and return home to Adelaide before trying again once the road conditions improved. Thankfully, they’ve now made it here safely and have begun their placement with us.

Rural placements often see students travel thousands of kilometres from their hometowns to gain hands-on experience in rural and remote communities. While these opportunities offer incredible learning experiences, beautiful landscapes and strong community connections, rural living can also come with its challenges, including extreme weather events that sometimes disrupt travel plans.

Despite the unexpected detour, Jalil and Marley have embraced the adventure and are looking forward to their time in Broken Hill. And of course, making sure they tick off the all-important Big Bench photo along the way! 📸

09/03/2026

A very warm welcome to Abigale, physiotherapy student from Adelaide University, who commenced placement last week at Natural Revolution Group - NRG.

Based in Broken Hill, the highly skilled team at NRG have over 22 years' experience in allied health care and are the perfect placement site for students undertaking a rural and remote placement.

If you see Abigale around town, be sure to say hi! 🤩

06/03/2026

Recently, our very own Hannah Dean, Social Work Academic, travelled from Broken Hill to attend the Course Design Institute program at USYD. A focused professional development experience designed to support educators in strengthening curriculum design and teaching practice.

As a staff member who works remotely, the opportunity to attend training on main campus was particularly valuable.

“Working in a rural setting, you don’t always get the chance to participate in face-to-face professional development,” Hannah said.

“Being able to travel from Broken Hill and connect in person with colleagues at USYD was incredibly rewarding.”

Go Hannah! You're doing great things! 🤩

28/02/2026

Meet James, the other 'James' at BHUDRH👋

James joined BHUDRH in 2025 as an Allied Health Academic, bringing with him over a decade of experience in physiotherapy and allied health leadership. He loves the variety of his role. Students can always come to James for support with building clinical skills, understanding rural and remote healthcare, working in multidisciplinary teams and navigating the challenges that can arise on placement – or just for a friendly chat.

What James loves most about allied health is the ability to make real, measurable differences in people’s lives through science, problem-solving and strong human connection, especially in rural communities.

As a local to our Wentworth campus, he recommends walking along the river, visiting the Murray–Darling Junction, exploring the Perry Sandhills and Wentworth Gaol, or checking out Mildura’s riverfront, cafés and wineries.

On weekends, James enjoys spending time with family, staying active, exploring the Sunraysia region and taking his kids on 'mini adventures' which usually ends with great food and a few unexpected detours.

And of course, he runs on a grande latte with a sugar because, "when the days run large, the coffee needs to meet the charge" (his words, not ours! 🤣)

24/02/2026

⭐ WHEN ALUMNI POP IN FOR A VISIT⭐

Last week, Charlene, Prinny and Jean were visited by Ashley, a former psychology student, who attended a placement with the BHUDRH. Ashley is now a new graduate and working in the Bourke community.

How fantastic is it to see familiar faces returning to rural and remote communities after they've graduated – thanks for the visit, Ash! 💙

If you are looking to attend a rural placement, follow this link – https://brokenhilludrh.edu.au/

22/02/2026

Hello and welcome to Stephanie, Srishti, Elise, Declan and Kaitlynn. The five students who are the first cohort for 2026 completing the Multidisciplinary Longitudinal Integrated Placement Program (MLIP).

This elective program incorporates students completing extended placements across medicine, nursing and allied health.

We hope you all enjoy your extended stay in rural and remote NSW! 🤩

For more information about the placement programs we offer, follow this link – https://brokenhilludrh.edu.au/

20/02/2026

✨ We’re LIVE! ✨

The team at BHUDRH are thrilled to announce that our new and improved website is NOW LIVE! 🤩

After being without a website for so long, we are so excited to finally have a platform to share who we are and what we do with you all.

Our biggest goal was to create a website that is functional, easy to navigate, and visually engaging – with captivating imagery and clear, concise information that truly reflects us as a UDRH.

A huge thank you to KWP+Partners, who were fantastic to work with and absolutely delivered on our vision. From start to finish, their expertise and creativity brought everything together beautifully.

We can’t wait for you to explore it – https://brokenhilludrh.edu.au/ 🚀

Develop your healthcare skills with rural placements in Broken Hill, Bourke and Wentworth. Supported student accommodation, learning and wellbeing through the University of Sydney.

19/02/2026

Did you know our academics are also health service providers in our local community? It's fantastic to see our Medical Workforce Lead, Dr Aliza Lord, talking about the joys of living and working in Broken Hill.

Go Aliza! 👏