Destination Medicine Podcast
Medical
Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence.
Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more.
With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting.
Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable.
The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.
Location:
Australia
Description:
Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence. Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more. With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting. Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable. The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.
Language:
English
Email:
rth@be.com.au
Episodes
ENCORE: Student Series: Andre McDuling - An Origin Story
12/23/2025
We're relaunching a few of our fave episodes so people preparing for GAMSAT can learn from the best.
Andre McDuling is on the verge of realising a decades-long dream: to become a doctor who caters for a rural community. Andre shares his transformative journey from IT specialist to medical doctor via several other degrees. He describes how he navigated through travel and study life, his persistent efforts, and the challenges of medical school applications. It’s a story of dedication, perseverance and resilience, mixed with an unwavering passion for rural medicine.
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Duration:00:19:34
ENCORE: Student Series: Laura Beaumont’s tips for getting into medicine - follow your dream and enjoy the journey!
12/19/2025
We're relaunching a few of our fave episodes so people preparing for GAMSAT can learn from the best.
Laura Beaumont’s life-long dream of becoming a doctor is on a road to reality as she completes her third year as a medical student at the University of Western Sydney. Her enthusiasm inspired her older brother to give up a career in building and construction to study medicine. Laura’s message? Follow your own path and enjoy the journey!
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Duration:00:15:53
Doctor in Training: Persistence Pays: From Farm Life to Rural Doctor – Dr Matthew Collocott
12/10/2025
Raised on farms in both South Africa and the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Matthew Collocott took the long road into medicine — from biomedical science at Griffith University, to four attempts at the GAMSAT, to finally securing a place at the University of Wollongong. Close-knit teams, hands-on experience and strong mentorship shaped his early career and fuelled his passion to pursue Rural Generalism. Now as a Junior Doctor at Lismore Base Hospital and preparing to enter GP training, Matt is building a life that blends medicine, family and the outdoor lifestyle he loves. His journey is a testament to persistence, opportunity and the unique rewards of training and working in regional Australia.
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Duration:00:18:48
Doctors In Training: Dr Morgan Neasey – A Journey of Determination and Rural Commitment
11/25/2025
Orthopaedic registrar Morgan Neasey grew up in rural northwest Tasmania, far from any clear pathway into medicine, first in her family, in fact, to become a doctor and go to university — but with determination, community shaping her drive to help others. After studying biomedical science in Melbourne and postgraduate medicine in Wollongong, she returned home to begin her medical career. Now, an unaccredited orthopaedic registrar in Burnie, Morgan shares how strong mentorship, hands-on rural training, and a passion for giving back have guided her toward a future in orthopaedic surgery.
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Duration:00:22:46
ENCORE: Dr Rebecca Irwin — Growing roots and doing rounds in Central West Queensland
11/12/2025
To celebrate National Rural Health Month, we’ve reached into our archive and are replaying one of our most popular rural episodes of all time.
Dr Rebecca Irwin has planted her flag in the town of Barcaldine in Queensland’s Central West, and it’s here she intends staying. As a rural generalist based at Barcaldine Hospital, she can’t imagine she’ll want to move.
In this episode, we follow Dr Irwin’s indirect path to medicine, and the impact a nursing degree had in her subsequent choices. She sheds light on the highlights and challenges of her medical training, particularly the shift from general to paediatric medicine, her rural placements, and the invaluable support received throughout her journey. She also describes her current role at the hospital, providing a unique blend of primary and emergency care, the fulfillment found in her daily interactions with the community, and balancing work and family life in this vibrant rural setting.
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Duration:00:19:15
Close-Knit Community Care in Finley; Training tomorrow’s Rural Doctors. Rural Generalist A/Prof Alam Yoosuff
10/28/2025
From Sri Lanka to small town Finley NSW. That was the path Associate Professor Alam Yoosuff and his wife took about 20 years ago. And what a journey it’s been. From becoming entrenched in the community to playing a crucial role in building the rural generalist training and single employment model, piloting this in the Murrumbidgee. This is now a nationwide model. Alam explains his journey to Australia, the passion for his work and drive to create the best primary care services for the community and primary care professionals alike.
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Duration:00:17:34
Becoming a Book in Someone’s Library – A/Prof Deb Wilson’s Anaesthetics and Advocacy
10/14/2025
From a farm in remote WA to becoming a rural anaesthetist in Tasmania – Deb Wilson’s path was anything but straight. She describes growing up in a family that prioritised education, reveals how a reluctant start in anaesthetics became her calling, and how she balances front-line care, and mentorship in one of the most beautiful corners of the country.
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Duration:00:14:01
ENCORE: The Rural Generalist path to professional and lifestyle fulfilment
10/2/2025
To celebrate Rural Generalism becoming a recognised medical speciality, we've reached into the archive and are replaying our most popular RG episode of all time.
Dr Teena Downton's specialisation is a great example of the diversity you can have in your work, as a GP, based in the country. You may have heard of the term ‘Rural Generalist' but what does it mean and what pathway do you take to be one? In this episode of Destination Medicine get ready to be motivated as Teena speaks about the many hats she wears from working at the local Emergency Department to being involved in the delivery of 150 babies!
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Duration:00:14:29
Doctors In Training: Balancing Medicine, Motherhood and Rural Life – Amanda Fulton’s Story
9/16/2025
After starting her career as a veterinarian, Dr Amanda Fulton couldn’t ignore the calling to study medicine. At 29, she took the leap, retraining while raising a young family, and is now a trainee at Port Augusta Hospital South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Amanda shares the challenges of stepping back into student life, the rewards of rural practice, and how she balances medicine with motherhood, teaching, and her passion for dance. Her story is one of courage, adaptability, and commitment to community.
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Duration:00:16:43
Student Series: It Took a Village: From Paramedic to Future Rural Doctor - Emily Turnbull
9/2/2025
Emily Turnbull began her career as a paramedic but over time, realised she could do more for her community by becoming a doctor. Now a fourth-year medical student at Dubbo Rural Clinical School and raised on a property in rural almost remote NSW, rural life is in Emily’s blood. So, it makes sense that she eventually wants to bring all of her skills and knowledge home, to support rural communities in need. And with the belief and determination she has, she’ll do just that.
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Duration:00:18:40
Doctors in Training: From a caring community to caring for community – Dr Rhi Noble
8/19/2025
While it might seem like medicine is for the well healed, it’s actually a course that creates opportunities for everyone. Rhi Noble, now a Junior Doctor at Lismore Base Hospital, is an extraordinary example of fighting through disadvantage, with purpose, grit, knowing exactly who she is and what she wanted to do with her life. Raised and supported, mainly by her grandmother and the LGBTQIA community of the Northern Rivers, it was this group of people that formed her community, helped her grow and believe in herself.
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Duration:00:22:30
Doctors in Training: The best you can be is yourself - Bradley Dovenor
8/5/2025
In year 9, Bradley Dovenor accidently discovered that one could study post-graduate medicine. It was revelatory and lit the flame for what would become a singular desire to get into medicine. As an introvert and self-described nerd, studying medicine at the University of Wollongong has not only given Brad the theory and skills to shine, but it’s brought him out of his shell, profoundly changing how he interacts with the world. More focused than ever on a career as a Rural Generalist in Broken Hill, Bradley’s story is a lesson in trusting yourself, giving it your all and connecting to people and community.
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Duration:00:19:48
Student Series: Volunteering and the Road to Medicine – Jessica Mepstead
7/22/2025
Jessica Mepstead gave herself two months to study for the GAMSAT. Already working as a dietician, she chose not to tell a soul until the result – she passed! She also gained some great insight and perspective on the process. And while her drive and passion are undeniable, the workload still astounds her. Now a 3rd year medical student at Dubbo School of Rural Health, Jessica is embracing Dubbo life to the fullest, from the number of opportunities in her clinical study program to the incredible lifestyle.
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Duration:00:18:40
Doctors in Training: Painting your own picture - Dr Pippa Kensit
7/8/2025
For Pippa Kensit, medicine always beckoned, especially because public health is where her heart is. A passion confirmed early on as she travelled abroad, and then through rural and reginal Australia. But it was only after becoming a nurse and going through her own back surgery, that she finally decided to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. Pippa’s story is one of incredible focus, passion and determination along an unconventional journey - a picture pained all her own. Now a Junior Doctor at Orange Base Hospital in NSW, she gives the best of herself to help others in need and to strengthen communities.
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Duration:00:22:50
Student Series: "Get yourself out there!” – Dr Liam Halford’s advice for going rural
6/24/2025
From playing gigs in pubs to delivering babies in the Outback, Liam Halford’s journey to medicine was anything but typical. Growing up in Gawler, South Australia, with no family history in medicine, Liam discovered his passion for rural healthcare through placements in Maleny and Broken Hill. He shares how hands-on experiences, tight-knit communities, and unexpected adventures — including ambulance rides and camel races — shaped his training and inspired a deep love for country medicine. His story is a reminder of what’s possible when you step outside your comfort zone.
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Duration:00:17:58
Student Series: From Tassie to the Top End — Loni Schramm’s epic journey to medicine
6/10/2025
Growing up in rural Tasmania, Lonnie Schramm never imagined becoming a doctor — especially not in the Northern Territory. But a move to Darwin, a psychology degree and a leap of faith into medicine changed everything. Lonnie shares her unconventional journey, from self-doubt to studying medicine in Alice Springs, working with First Nations communities, building a rural health student society, and finding strength through music, mentorship, and connection.
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Duration:00:20:04
Doctors in Training: Dr Brittney Wicksteed — Leading the way in WA
5/27/2025
Always a country kid at heart who is training in emergency medicine, Dr Brittney Wicksteed is already emerging as a key leader in rural health in her home state of Western Australia. She’s now WA Rural Doctors in Training Chair, as well as the Vice President of the Rural Doctors Association of WA. It was Dr Wicksteed’s journey through medical school that really helped her to realise rural medicine was where she truly belonged. She shares how growing up in small-town Western Australia, boarding school in Perth, and early exposure to rural placements shaped her path to emergency medicine, and she discusses the unique hands-on skills, strong mentorship, and problem-solving mindset that rural training provides — offering invaluable experience that city-based trainees may miss.
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Duration:00:27:48
Doctors-in-Training Series: Be kind to yourself and be kind to your colleagues – Dr Stefanie Pidcock
5/13/2025
After two decades working to heal the planet, Dr Stefanie Pidcock made a huge change, pivoting to a career of healing individuals in a rural setting. And this ecologist-turned-medic hasn’t looked back. Dr Pidcock shares her journey to healthcare, describing why she enthusiastically recommends rural internships, with their high level of training in some of the most beautiful locations in Australia. Dr Pidcock highlights the supportive mentors, hands-on learning, and tight knit communities that make rural medical practice so rewarding.
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Duration:00:23:25
Dr Courtney-Anne Blackhall — Where everybody knows your name
4/29/2025
Living where people know your name, and are keen to stop and chat, is high on Dr Courtney-Anne Blackhall’s priority list for life, as is having a broad-based career in this friendly environment. So the Northern Rivers, with its beaches, restaurants and cool sea breezes is the perfect location to work as a rural GP. Courtney-Anne shares the story of her journey from Perth to Lismore, discussing the unique challenges of rural healthcare and why saying “yes” shaped her path to becoming a compassionate and adaptable GP.
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Duration:00:12:47
City convert finds a remarkable career as a rural generalist – Dr Emma Jones
4/15/2025
Growing up a city kid, it hadn’t dawned on Dr Emma Jones that she could and would dedicate herself to being a Rural Generalist. Then a conversation with other medical students about the benefits of living regionally led her to the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program. Taking part in rural placements ignited her passion for regional healthcare. She hasn’t looked back. Now a GP in Geraldton, she thrives in a diverse, flexible career that includes private practice, rural outreach, hospital work, and medical education. Emma shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the rewards of life as a rural doctor.
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Duration:00:19:27