UNSW Rural Clinical Campuses

20/09/2026

Our inaugural UNSW Port Macquarie Staff vs Students soccer match kicked off this week, and it is safe to say the competitive spirit was alive and well.

While the students brought youth and speed it was the dogged determination of staff that handed them bragging rights and saw them take out the win.

The Phase 1 students did an amazing job of bringing this event to life with a massive shoutout to Manuel Gutierrez Santana for organising such a fantastic match and getting the campus together.

Thank you to all the players who put their bodies on the line, the officials, and everyone who came down to support and cheer, offering first-aid and sympathy from the sidelines. Special mention to Port Medical Society and Dr Leigh Cummings for keeping the teams so well fuelled.

Same time next year, students? We’ll start stretching now. 🏆

31/08/2026

🌴 Rural Short-Term Placement Testimonial | Lord Howe Island 🌴

“500km of the coast of the UNSW RCC at Port Macquarie, Lord Howe Island feels like a world away, and for much of the medical needs of the Island, it is.

I had the opportunity to complete a 4 week placement at Gower Wilson Memorial Hospital, providing GP and emergency care 24/7 to the 800 permanent residents and tourists which are on the Island at any given time.

Working alongside the amazing staff at the hospital, I had the opportunity to not only assist with medical care, but also see the amazing community spirit that helps isolated communities such as this run, as well as the diversity of opportunities open to those wanting to pursue a career in rural medicine.

I will be sure to remember this placement for the rest of my time at medical school, and throughout my career into the future.

I would like to thank the work of the UNSW RCC including Dr David Chessor and Ashleigh Eade, Gower Wilson Memorial Hospital practice owner and Manager Dr Tom Leach and Sharon Lewis, and the rest of the Doctors and Staff who helped make this placement possible, it is a truly remote and rewarding placement which I am so grateful for having been able to complete.” - Hugh Robertson

30/08/2026

We’re proud to share that Associate Professor Linda Ferrington was recently invited to deliver a keynote presentation at the Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium.

Her presentation, “Who looks after the educators? Rethinking wellbeing in health professions education,” explored the importance of supporting the wellbeing of educators who teach, mentor and support future health professionals.

The symposium brought together leaders across health, education, research, government and community sectors to discuss practical ways to improve wellbeing and prevention across Australia.

Congratulations, Linda! 👏

24/08/2026

Finding Purpose, Connection and Balance: Dr Aiveen Bannan’s Infectious Diseases Career in Regional Australia - have a listen! https://www.destinationmedicine.com.au/podcasts/finding-your-tribe-as-an-infectious-diseases-physician-in-regional-australia-dr-aiveen-bannan/17

12/08/2026

On the 6th of August, we held a bake sale at the Port Macquarie Rural Campus to raise money for Jeans For Genes - a charity that funds research for the treatment and cure of genetic diseases in children.
Firstly, thank you so much to all the amazing individuals who took the time out of their busy schedules to bake - without you guys this event would not have happened! Secondly, thank you to everyone who generously supported the bake sale through purchasing snacks and donating directly to the charity. We raised $500 from the bake sale, and thanks to Lowes who sponsored Jeans For Genes Day, our funds were matched, meaning Jeans For Genes will receive $1000 from the event.
Thank you for supporting this amazing cause and helping kids get on with being kids!

11/08/2026

05/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Karin Rezkalla, a Year 2 student at UNSW Rural Campus Wagga Wagga, on representing NSW and Australia at the 13th Commonwealth Youth Parliament.

As Leader of the Opposition, Karin made an outstanding contribution, earning praise from Dr Joe McGirr MP, who described her performance as "outstanding by all accounts" and "a good news story for UNSW and the Wagga campus."

We are incredibly proud of Karin and this fantastic achievement! 👏

15/07/2026

Some of our rural Indigenous students proudly represented UNSW at the 2026 Indigenous Nationals, held at the University of Newcastle.

Bringing together Indigenous student-athletes from universities across Australia, the event featured mixed-team competition in touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball. We congratulate our students on their outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment, and we're proud to celebrate their achievements both on and off the field. 🖤💛❤️

01/07/2026

Associate Professor Rashid Hashmi, Mike Maw, and rural medical students Oscar Mason and Charlotte Barker proudly represented UNSW Rural, at the UNSW Showcase at Parliament House in Canberra, joining colleagues from across the University to demonstrate the impact of UNSW's teaching, research and innovation.

30/06/2026

Dr Shannon Pike, Asha Heffernan (Year 5) and Dr Heba Azer, presenting at ANZAHPE 2026.

Their poster presentation, "Dermatoscopy Use and Education in Regional NSW," highlights important work in advancing dermatoscopy education and practice in regional New South Wales.

Congratulations on presenting this important work at ANZAHPE 2026!