What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

WA Centre for Rural Health

Home
Australia
Geraldton, WA
WA Centre for Rural Health

WACRH facilitates allied health, nursing and pharmacy placements for students from all Australian universities. The WA Centre for Rural Health's page.

We aim to improve rural, remote and Aboriginal health through education, student placement support, research and community service activities. Located on Wilunyu Country. The WA Centre for Rural Health's (WACRH) of The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of 17 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) in Australia. WACRH is based in Geraldton in the Midwest and Karratha in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Our aim is to improve rural, remote and Aboriginal health through research, education, student placement support and community service activities. Follow us on:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/WA-Centre-for-Rural-Health
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wacentreruralhealth
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCZv2RQ3ELqLHIxIWs4uh_vA
Mailchimp: https://us5.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be3b66033a057618a0fe34702&id=e4c829aff1

09/10/2025

Indigenous knowledge, resilience and leadership are central to advancing equitable pain care.

Associate Professor Ivan Lin from The University of Western Australia WA Centre for Rural Health contributed to a newly released fact sheet from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), looking at pain in Indigenous peoples in the colonized, high-income countries of Australia, Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The fact sheet was developed through collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous clinicians and researchers across these countries. Despite being high-income nations with advantages such as universal healthcare, Indigenous peoples within these countries do not all share equally in these benefits and there are inequities in pain care.

The fact sheet highlights that Indigenous-led solutions at societal, health system and service delivery levels are key to achieving fair and equitable outcomes for Indigenous people living with pain, and to improving pain care for all people.

www.iasp-pain.org/resources/fact-sheets/pain-in-indigenous-peoples-from-colonized-countries/

30/09/2025

Poor communication between hospitals, specialists and primary health care clinics is undermining cancer care for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, according to new research from The University of Western Australia.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death for Aboriginal people in the NT. Primary health care clinics, particularly in remote communities, are central to screening, diagnosis and ongoing care.

The research was led by staff from the WA Centre for Rural Health at UWA, in collaboration with clinicians in the NT.

Fifty health professionals from 15 services across the NT shared their experiences. They highlighted how fragmented information systems and delays in communication between services made it harder to deliver timely, coordinated care.

Lead author Emma Taylor said,
“When critical test results or discharge information don’t make it back to the clinic in a timely manner, cancer patients can miss out on essential follow-up care.”

The researchers are calling for improved healthcare IT systems, more timely information sharing, and greater inclusion of remote clinicians in multidisciplinary cancer care teams. Telehealth, Cancer Care Coordinators and Aboriginal Liaison Officers were identified as key enablers of better communication.

https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193155

29/09/2025

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 ❤️ 𝟮𝟵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
To mark World Heart Day, we are hosted a ‘Know Your Numbers’ morning tea event for staff and students, focusing on heart health awareness. The event featured interactive stations where participants could measure and learn about key risk factors for heart disease, including blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, nutrition and physical activity.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated dietetic and public health students for leading the activities and engaging attendees.

This initiative was proudly delivered by the WA Centre for Rural Health at The University of Western Australia, in partnership with the SOLVE-CHD Project.

World Heart

25/09/2025

A new pilot study has received $799,434 through the Medical Research Future Fund to explore culturally safe strategies for chronic pain care among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Led by Associate Professor Ivan Lin from The University of Western Australia and Dr Brooke Conley from The University of Melbourne, the project will trial innovative approaches to support individuals and clinicians in delivering more effective, culturally responsive care.

The study will collaboratively-design and evaluate three strategies: Indigenous pain navigators to guide patients through their healthcare journey, Clinical Yarning training for clinicians, and chronic pain yarning groups co-led by Indigenous facilitators to foster peer support and empowerment.

“This project is about listening, learning, and working together to create pain care that is not only effective, but culturally safe and empowering,” Associate Professor Lin said.

www.wacrh.uwa.edu.au/2025/09/799K-MRFF-grant-boosts-groundbreaking-Indigenous-pain-care-pilot-study

22/09/2025

𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
WA Centre for Rural Health academics recently joined colleagues from across Australia in Broken Hill for a national seminar focused on Longitudinal Integrated Placements for nursing and allied health students.

Hosted by the Australian Rural Health Education Network and the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, the event brought together representatives from 15 UDRHs to reimagine rural student placements.

The seminar highlighted a shared commitment to preparing graduates for successful rural practice through extended placements that foster deeper community engagement, cultural responsiveness, and interprofessional collaboration.

WACRH Director Professor Sandra Thompson praised Broken Hill UDRH’s leadership in reshaping rural training models.

“We must move beyond short-term placements. Students need time to understand the strengths of rural communities and experience the satisfaction of delivering care where it’s most needed,” Professor Thompson said.

Senior Lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald noted WACRH’s long-standing commitment to extended placements.

“We’ve offered longitudinal placements in some disciplines for over a decade. This seminar confirmed we’re on the right path and strengthened our resolve to expand opportunities across the Midwest and Pilbara,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

09/09/2025

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗗𝗩 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟱+ 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗱𝘁𝗼𝗻
Are you rebuilding your life after family and domestic violence?
Join this two-day Recovery and Healing Retreat on 16 & 17 September at the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre on the Foreshore.

What’s on:
• Connect with local services and supports
• Group sessions on safety planning, legal support, well-being, parenting & self care
• A safe and supportive space for recovery and healing.

Drop into the “Hotspotting” session Tuesday morning (no bookings needed).

Book group sessions online: https://events.humanitix.com/host/dvassist or email Event Coordinator daphne@dvassist.org.au or text 0417 158 519.

Free crèche available on Wednesday (Day 2) so mums can take part in group sessions.

This retreat is made possible through the City of Greater Geraldton and valued local partners who are walking alongside women on their journey of recovery.

05/09/2025

𝗘𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸
As part of Women’s Health Week, two of our passionate Australian Catholic University (ACU) dietetic students joined the morning tea at Carnarvon Senior Citizens Hall, offering consultations on healthy eating and nutritional well-being. Their goal? To empower seniors with simple, nourishing food choices that boost energy, mood, and overall wellbeing.

“We found it rewarding to offer educational materials and personalised support that could positively impact their daily nutrition habits,” says the dietetic students.

Check out the Healthy Eating Guide they designed!

04/09/2025

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? 𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱!
Struggling with back or neck pain, an injury, or mobility issues? Our friendly rural placement physiotherapy students are back in town and here to help!
Student Physiotherapy Clinic:
📍 WA Centre for Rural Health - 167 Fitzgerald Street, Geraldton
💵There is no cost to attend
📞 Call 9956 0200 to book.
Don’t miss out — spots will fill fast!

03/09/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💬
From fresh faces to seasoned professionals, Geraldton’s speech pathologists are making a difference in schools, clinics, hospitals, and homes. We might work in different places, but we're united by a goal to make an – Impact through Communication 💬

Here’s to learning from each other, lifting each other up, and always having someone to share a laugh - or a laminator - with!

A big thank you to WACRH for hosting a delicious breakfast to kick off Speech Pathology Week 2025.

29/08/2025

𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣.

Vale Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith

The WA Centre for Rural Health family is deeply saddened by the passing of our esteemed colleague, mentor, and friend, Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith.

Dr Green was a celebrated artist, author, poet, storyteller, community leader, social science researcher, and academic. She generously shared her cultural knowledge across many spheres, leaving a profound impact on all who had the privilege to learn from her.

We were deeply honoured to work alongside Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith and bear witness to her remarkable contributions. Her life’s work in advancing the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people leaves an enduring legacy—one that will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, community, and all those whose lives were touched by Charmaine.

27/08/2025

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 🐾🐾
Join us this September as we celebrate 25 years of World Heart Day with our Move It Move It Challenge.

World Heart Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD). 1 in 5 people will die early from CVD. Yet, up to 80% of heart disease and stroke cases are preventable.

We invite you to take part in our Move It Move It Challenge by committing to 𝟮𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 of movement every day throughout September.

Use our calendar to guide your daily activities, try something new and explore Geraldton in active ways. Get your friends, family, and colleagues involved. Share your progress on social media by tagging and

This initiative is brought to you by the WA Centre for Rural Health at The University of Western Australia and the SOLVE-CHD Project.

Print off the poster here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/35uh6ttc

Address

Yamaji Country, 167 Fitzgerald Street
Geraldton, WA
6530

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61899560200

Website

http://www.wacrh.uwa.edu.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WA Centre for Rural Health posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Geraldton?