National University Rural Health Conference
Cairns, QLD : July 23rd -25th

Please submit a 400 word application telling us:
• Why you are interested in rural health
• What involvement you have had with your Rural Health Club
• Why would you make a good delegate for NURHC
• What you hope to get out of NURHC
For more info check-out: www.nrhsn.org.au

Applications are due Friday 13th March to mail@aurha.org.au

Welcome to the Adelaide University Rural Health Alliance! If you are interested in joining AURHA please visit our stall in the Medical School South Building foyer which will be open during week 1 (orientation week) and week 2. There will also be a stall set up in the dental basement during week 2! At all times these stalls should have information brochures with the additional paper sign up tear off section to be placed in the labelled box on the table. On the table there is also a number of previous years magazines which you can feel free to take with you for a bit more background on the club!

If you want to talk to a member of the committee there should be one posted on the stall at most times during the day over both weeks (if the AURHA banner is draped over the table a committee member should not be far away!).

There is also the option signing up on this website if you go to the join link in the posted links on the right side of this page!

Note: The AURHA welcome BBQ is set for the 11^th of March at 5pm down by the Torrens, free beer and sausages!

Thank you to all AURHA members and affiliates who attended the 2008 AURHA AGM at the Oxford Hotel in North Adelaide.  Please find attached the amended AURHA Constitution as voted for at the AGM.

 Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

AURHA Constitution - Amendments 2008

Followed by free drinks and nibbles courtesy of MDA NationalNominations for positions on the 2009 AURHA Executive are now open. If you’re interested in rural health and in being involved in AURHA next year send your nomination to mail@aurha.org.au. Available positions include:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Events Coordinator(s)
• Newsletter Editor(s)
• Information Technology Officer
• Allied Health Representative(s)
• Oral Health Representative(s)
• Dentistry Representative(s)
• Nursing Representative(s)
• Graduate/Post-graduate Representative
• Junior NRHSN Representative
• Rural High School Visits Representative
• Sponsorship Officer

Even if you’re not interested in a position on the Executive come along to the AGM for a fun-filled night; there’ll be free drinks and nibbles after the meeting thanks to MDA National. The meeting itself will go for an hour at most so there’ll be plenty of time afterwards to relax and catch up with your mates.

Numerous changes to the AURHA Constitution will be proposed at the AGM, and we ask that you read the attached Constitution and suggested changes in preparation for the meeting. Approval of the changes will be sought from members present at the AGM. The changes have been made to bring the Constitution more in line with AURHA’s current activities, goals and affiliations - if you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to drop us a line at mail@aurha.org.au.

Attached: aurha-constitution-proposed-changes-as-at-september-27-2008.doc

Just a warning that the JFPP application date closes on Sunday March 30th (don’t send applications so that they arrive on Monday, send them so they arrive on Friday!)

 The scholarship is available to medical students in years 1 to 3 (you need to do placements over four years) who are Australian residents.

 If you click on  the “Scholarships” page on the right, there is a section on JFPP.  A document has been attached which is advice from a student regarding the written application.  It’s not endorsed by AURHA or NRHN or ACRRM and it’s not guaranteed to help you, but it’s some advice because we like to be friendly here at AURHA

Interested in seeing more of South Australia? Want to help the next generation of medical students?

AURHA members will be conducting Rural High School Visits to Clare, Burra, Mt. Gambier, Naracoorte, Tailem Bend, Whyalla, and more to help encourage high school students to consider careers in healthcare, and answer any questions they might have.

Interested? Come along to the RHSV Recruitment presentation at the Robson Lecutre Theatre, Eleanor Harrald Builing, RAH from 1645 on Wednesday, 19th March to hear about how the trips work, followed by free pizza and drinks. The RHSV Rep from AURHA will be available to answer questions, and expression of interest forms will be available on the night. Alternatively, contact the RHSV rep, Eamon Raith, at eamon.raith@adelaide.edu.au.

Here is your chance to show off your photography skills (or at least an amazing rural or remote experience that you have had) by entering the NURHC Photo Competition.

The NRHN is always on the lookout for photos to use in publications, newsletter, website, posters and more to promote rural and remote health to members and all health students across Australia.  At NURHC we will be holding a competition that will be judged by delegates with excellent prizes, giving you the opportunity to display your photo and possibly see it in future publications.

The NRHN Executive and NURHC co-convenors will assess all photos and come up with a top 20 for delegates to vote on.  So in order to do this, there are a few guidelines:

• All photos must be forwarded in electronic format to the NRHN by 10 March 2008
  This can be via email to kylie.carlson@rhwa.org.au or post to NRHN, PO Box 6244 South Yarra VIC 3141
  Please note that the higher the quality (megapixels, image size) the better from our perspective, in terms of printing, particularly if selected for publications
• The top 20 photos selected by the committee will then be printed and displayed at NURHC in a set format, displayed throughout the conference and voted on by delegates
• The winner will be announced on the Saturday of NURHC with prizes awarded for the top 3
• There is no limitation on what your photo can be, we would love a variety of rural, remote, health, university, rural health club activities… anything that you think might help inspire other health students to consider rural placements or rural practice
• By submitting photos to the competition you agree to allow the NRHN to use them in future publications (please ensure that you have consent for photos in which you have photographed people/where consent is required)
• You are able to enter as many photos as you would like

 If you have any questions, you can email timothy.bromley@gmail.com

In 2007 a NRHN new award - the Janie Dade Smith Award - was commenced for all Australian health students. The NRHN administers it annually and it is presented at each NRHN conference. This award is to recognise and encourage those students who are already contributing to rural, remote and Indigenous health in some way. The award is strongly multidisciplinary and is open to all health students from all disciplines. The award consists of a 3 book prizes and a first prize of $200 to the person who has contributed significantly. Students can either be nominated or apply to be considered for the award, so please think about nominating someone from your rural health club if you think they deserve it! You should write in 500 words how you/they have contributed to rural, remote or Indigenous health in some way. Dr Janie Dade Smith will select the prize-winners from the top 5 short-listed applicants.

Last year the winner was Angela Titmus who is now an intern at Alice Springs Hospital in the NT.

Entry for this award is open to all Rural Health Members regardless of whether or not you are currently registered to attend NURHC 08. If your entry is chosen as first prize you will be invited to attend the conference and must be available to do so. The registration fee will be waived in lieu of the achievement.

Please forward all entries by email to kylie.carlson@rhwa.org.au by Friday the 21st of March 2008. Include your name, health club, discipline & contact number in the body of the email.