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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

University Centre for Rural Health

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Lismore, NSW
University Centre for Rural Health

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University of Sydney - Rural Clinical School & University Department for Rural Health
Lismore | Grafton

A collaboration between the University of Sydney, Southern Cross University, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University based in Lismore, Grafton and Murwillumbah. We aim to provide the best possible educational experience in rural health for medical, nursing and allied health students, and to facilitate continuing professional development for rural health practitioners. We have a strong interest in health services and systems research and development and are uniquely and ideally placed to support interdisciplinary education, and to integrate research into our education programs.

12/10/2026

Northern Rivers physios, this one’s for you.

We’re pleased to be working with Northern NSW Local Health District to host the Northern NSW Physiotherapy Symposium at UCRH Lismore on Friday 13 November.

The full-day program brings together local clinicians and health professionals to share their expertise across topics including shoulder instability, stroke, joint replacement, fracture rehabilitation, wellbeing and amputation management.

It’s a great opportunity for physiotherapists from across the region to connect, learn from each other and build their clinical knowledge.

📅 Friday 13 November, 8.30am–3pm
📍 UCRH Lismore
🎟️ $50 for non-NNSWLHD employees; free for NNSWLHD employees
☕ Morning tea and lunch provided

Places are limited and registration is essential.

Register and see the full program: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-nsw-lhd-physiotherapy-symposium-tickets-2001154382628?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/10/2026

What turns a building into a place people feel connected to?

When architect Dayne Mearns returned to University House almost 20 years after helping design it, he found much more than the award-winning building he remembered.

The young trees and bare gardens had grown. The deck had become part of daily life. Students, staff and researchers had filled the spaces with teaching, research, conversations and countless ordinary moments.

As part of our 25 years, 25 stories series, we look back at the thinking behind University House and how the people who have passed through it have given the building its meaning.

And with UCRH Open Day coming up on 17 November, there’s a chance to experience the place for yourself.

Read the story: https://ucrh.edu.au/story/the-building-that-grew-with-ucrh/

08/10/2026

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.

That message feels especially important when some voices are still missing from the evidence base.

For example, recent rural health research highlights major gaps in what we know about the mental health of young Australians with disability. Researchers found very little Australian research exploring their experiences, particularly in rural and remote communities, and almost no evidence examining the wider community and policy factors that shape mental health outcomes.

Real change starts with listening, understanding and acting on what people tell us.
Read the story on our website and learn why these gaps matter. 💙

https://ucrh.edu.au/mental-health-gaps-need-attention/

07/10/2026

What will our future health workforce need to understand about caring for an ageing community?

For students at UCRH today, dementia was an important part of that conversation.

As part of our weekly Multidisciplinary Education Program (MEP), students from social work, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy explored dementia and healthy ageing, including what it means to live with dementia here in the Northern Rivers.

The local context matters. Around 26% of people in the Northern Rivers are aged over 65, with that figure expected to reach 30% by 2030. Across Australia, the number of people living with dementia is also expected to rise substantially in coming decades.

Students heard from Professor Henry Brodaty on dementia and healthy ageing, followed by Dr Rachel Jones, Geriatrician, and Anne Moehead from Dementia Inclusive Ballina servicing Northern Rivers, who brought the discussion closer to home with a presentation on living with dementia in the Northern Rivers.

It was particularly timely given recent developments in Alzheimer’s research, including new blood tests that can detect biomarkers associated with the disease.

For the future health professionals training in our region, understanding dementia isn’t an abstract exercise. It’s preparation for caring for the communities they will serve.

06/10/2026

✍️ Not all disasters are bad.

The annual Disastrous Writing Retreat is back at UCRH, bringing together people who write about disasters and climate change for two days of focused, in-person writing, networking and collaboration.

Join us in Lismore on 9-10 November for dedicated writing time, peer feedback and connection with others working in the field.

Read the story and find out how to register: https://ucrh.edu.au/disastrous-writing-returns-to-lismore/

05/10/2026

A guinea pig in a crown. A possum in the roof. Sausage rolls appearing from a makeshift kitchen. 😄

Somehow, all of those stories are part of the last 25 years at UCRH.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re looking back at the moments that built our culture. Not the big milestones, but the everyday acts of kindness, creativity and good humour that helped turn colleagues into a community.

The buildings have changed, but the spirit hasn’t.

This is just one of the stories that helped shape UCRH. Plenty more are still to come. Read the full story on our website 👇

https://ucrh.edu.au/story/people-at-the-heart-of-ucrh/

04/10/2026

🌞 Northern Rivers Long Weekend Bingo

✅ Spotted a bush turkey
✅ Went to the beach
✅ Took a sneaky nap
✅ Mentioned double demerits at least once

How many squares have you crossed off?

Drop your score in the comments and tell us which square we should add next year.

Wherever you are, hope you're enjoying your long weekend 💛

01/10/2026

What if understanding pain better at school could help young people manage it throughout their lives? 🧠

We’re excited to share recent rural health research co-authored by Professor Chris Williams that outlines the design of the Pain Smart clinical trial, set to involve 30 secondary schools across NSW.

The study will test whether classroom-based pain education can improve students’ understanding of pain and support their wellbeing.

Read more on our website: https://ucrh.edu.au/teaching-teens-about-pain/

30/09/2026

What does it take to get the Northern Rivers a seat at the table?

Sometimes, it takes people like Liz Rummery who simply refuse to give up 😊

When opportunity arose, communities across the Northern Rivers backed the push to bring a University Department of Rural Health to the region. That determination helped create what is now UCRH.

Twenty-five years later, that same belief in regional communities still drives everything we do.

Read the story of the advocacy, persistence and community support that helped make UCRH our website: https://ucrh.edu.au/story/a-seat-at-the-table-for-the-north/

29/09/2026

Yesterday, we shared news that Jane Linton was awarded a 2026 Ian O'Rourke Scholarship. Today, we're highlighting some of the research helping drive that recognition. 🌿

Jane is a co-author of the latest paper in the international Moving Forward Together series, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. The final article brings together practical actions for improving musculoskeletal healthcare for Indigenous Peoples and encourages clinicians, organisations and health systems to create more culturally responsive care.

It's a great example of research that starts with listening, learning and working together to improve health outcomes.

Read more about the publication and its call to action here: https://ucrh.edu.au/indigenous-health-series-reaches-call-to-action/

Address

61 Uralba Street
Lismore, NSW
2480

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+61266207570

Website

http://ucrh.edu.au/

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