JCU Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health

24/08/2025

23/08/2025

Meeting between our JCU researchers and Australian Campdrafters Association people Mostly Hills Campdraft to refine the collaborative research project investigating the impact of Campdrafting on economic and human capital as well as rural cultural vitality and wellbeing. We appreciate the time you could give Sabina Knight & Dr Kehinde Obamiro Jason and Laura Cominski and Robert Daley

22/08/2025

A couple of spare professors graciously taking our dietetic students to the Gemfields to progress their project. Thanks

22/08/2025

📚📖"All the Places You’ll Go"… like Blackall State School Book Week!

Our Clinical Leads, Taegen and Georgie, transformed into Thing 1 and Thing 2, while our OT and SW students took on judging duties decked out as Little Miss, Mr Men, and Bananas in Pyjamas!

What a week!"📕📘

21/08/2025

⭐Missed our official opening? Catch the full excitement here:

Official Opening of the JCU CQCRRH Building in Emerald QLD

21/08/2025

✨ Yesterday in Emerald, we were proud to welcome Hon Emma McBride MP to officially open our new James Cook University Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health.

This new centre is all about delivering better healthcare for Central Queensland while growing and supporting the health workforce of the future. 💙

👀 Watch this space – over the next few days we’ll be sharing snippets from our very special day!

20/08/2025

20/08/2025

20/08/2025

✳ JCU secures grant to improve bowel cancer screening ✳

James Cook University’s Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health, (CQCRRH) Emerald has been awarded nearly a million dollars to help improve bowel cancer screening in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Central Queensland.

Professor Sabina Knight AM, CQCRRH’s Director, said the $990,772 in funding from Cancer Australia will help in the battle against one of Australia’s deadliest yet most preventable cancers.

“There is disproportionately low bowel cancer screening rates in remote areas. This research aims to bridge the gap by fostering trust, enhancing health care collaboration and delivering sustainable solutions,” said Professor Knight.

Led by Associate Professor Kehinde Obamiro and Madeline Ford with Alinta Warner, Sandra Levers and Asmita Mudholkar from CQCRRH, the three-year project will co-design, implement, and evaluate culturally appropriate bowel cancer screening models in partnership with First Nations communities, services such as Bidgerdii Community Health Service and primary healthcare professionals.

“Having lost loved ones to bowel cancer, and knowing many other First Nations people who have been impacted by cancer, I look forward to working with the JCU team on this very special and meaningful project,” Bidgerdii CEO Marissa Smith said.

The study, supported by Cancer Australia’s Partnerships for Cancer Research Grant Program, will engage five Central Queensland communities to develop tailored solutions that address barriers to early detection and treatment.

The research team will utilise a collaborative approach that prioritises Indigenous knowledge and community-led healthcare strategies.

Professor Knight said the funding allows JCU to work hand-in-hand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and services.

“This means we can develop screening methods that are not only effective but also culturally safe and accessible. Improving early detection in rural and remote regions could save lives and reduce health disparities and I thank Cancer Australia for helping us in this critical work."

Contact:
Professor Sabina Knight
M: 0417 823 933
sabina.knight@jcu.edu.au

19/08/2025

This week Director Sabina Knight met with the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services - the Hon Tim Nichols at the Emerald Community Cabinet to discuss. Health workforce issues then he and the Director General checked out our student led clinic in the new Communkity Rehab Training room at the Emerald Medical Group

Great to have the policy people see us in action

14/08/2025

🌟 For the third year in a row, JCU’s Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health has headed out to Blackall to deliver a whole-school social and emotional regulation program at Blackall State School

Over the next 5 weeks, two Social Work students and two Occupational Therapy students – supported by our Clinical Leads – will spent the weeks running group sessions and classroom activities with students and staff.

From sharing practical resources to building important life skills, the team worked hand-in-hand with the school community to support students’ wellbeing, encourage positive relationships, and promote emotional self-awareness.

And of course… there was plenty of fun and laughter along the way in this vibrant rural community! 💛

14/08/2025

How awesome is this!!! Some of our students have been giving line-dancing a go at Boots 'n' All Line Dancing Emerald!!

They have loved this opportunity to do something different and are very grateful for Sue and the rest of the crew being so welcoming!!