Medical students taste outback lifestyle

Possum Swinton and Charlene Noye (far left and far right) with students Gen Cox, Aiden Kerr, Ella van der Geest, Alexis Zimbulis, Ella Clarke, Olivia Taylor and Dilara Koca (back row). Alessia Ferri and Constance Malliaras (in middle) with Gyan Ainkaran, Isaac Wallis and Natasha Warrell (kneeling at front). Photo supplied

Bourke hosted ten first year medical students from the Sydney campus of Notre Dame University this week, putting on a typical display of bush-style hospitality.

As part of the student’s social justice project, Bourke was the chosen host site, under the care of Project Officer at North West Academic Centre, Cheryl ‘Possum’ Swinton.

The students were welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony and camp oven dinner at the Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre on Sunday evening.

The group spent the week working in the community in Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and in the Aboriginal Primary Care Clinic at Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (BACHS) medical centre.

Coordinator, Possum Swinton, said the students were able to participate in several different programs, thanks to the great variety of visiting specialist services provided at BACHS.

“We’ve been fortunate to receive assistance with costs from The Riverina Regional Training Hub (UNDA) and NSW Rural Doctors Network, Bourke Shire Council are on board, and it was nice to have the Bourke Mayor and Manager of Corporate Services attend the welcome event with gifts of Bourke memorabilia for each of the students.

“Local Aboriginal man, James Moore, performed the smoking ceremony and “Bourke’s Ain’t Caught’ Nuffin’ Fishing Club” members cooked up a delicious camp oven dinner.

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