Rural Placement - Warragul

General practices & community psychiatry at Traralgon, Morwell, Moe, Drouin, Nerrim South, Warragul, Leongatha/Korumburra, Trafalgar, Bunyip and Sale. Women’s health based at Sale and Warragul

Site Description

Warragul, (population  9,500) has a name which is said to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "wild" or "wild dog", and is 98 km south-east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway.
Both Warragul and its sister town Drouin (population 4,500) are the centre for what is arguably Australia's premier dry farming dairying region.

The GRCS – Warragul is based behind the West Gippsland Health Care Group Hospital, with easy access to wards and tutors.

Tourism is also an important industry, with Warragul being the start of the ‘Gourmet Deli Trail’.  In the area there are numerous wineries, fruit farms, venison farms and cheese producers, amongst others which provide wonderful produce which can be sampled and bought.  Local markets bring these producers together on a regular basis and the township of Yarragon (10 minutes from Warragul) has a variety of tourist shops and outlets for fresh produce and hand crafted products.

Magnificent scenery, the local produce, the friendly small town atmosphere and the town’s proximity to Mt Baw Baw for skiing enthusiasts are some of the main highlights of this area.

Costs

Accommodation is provided free of charge.  Travel between accommodation and the hospital is at your own cost.  Travel for education sessions are paid at 20c per km. 

What’s great about this site

The program offers an opportunity to get involved in a wide range of rural medicine activities though the West Gippsland Health Care Group and also local Clinics and allied community health services.  The dedicated staff working in the medical area, their commitment to teaching students and being part of a friendly medical team within the hospital environment are some of the positive benefits of this site.  The beautiful scenery and wonderful local produce, as well as the proximity to Melbourne are other bonuses in choosing Warragul as a place to learn about rural medicine.

Accommodation

Year 1 & 2 students stay in cabins (3 per cabin) in the beautiful Warragul Gardens Holiday Park with close proximity to the hospital and the town centre.  You will need to bring your own linen, pillow and sleeping bag/blankets.  Sleeping bags are preferred as each cabin has a mixture of bed sizes.  There are full cooking facilities and an ensuite in each cabin. 

Travel

Train service to and from Melbourne to Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.   There are 12 services daily.  

By car the Warragul site is just off the M1 Freeway.

Parking at West Gippsland Health Care Group is in designated areas on Ley Street and in car parks at the front and back of the hospital.

Year 1 - Travel arrangements will be made for you. Students will travel from Melbourne via train (departure site to be advised) and met at the Inverloch station by staff in three Tarago vans. These vehicles will be driven by staff for transportation of students throughout the week. There will be six students to a vehicle. All students are expected to travel together and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are at the nominated pick-up point in advance of departure time. Private transport to and from the site or around the site is not possible due to insurance coverage.

Year 2 – Students may drive their own vehicles and be reimbursed (up to 2 weeks after the placement) 20c per km for 1 return trip Melb/Inv and for all education travel whilst on site.

Students may travel to the site via train/bus and be reimbursed (up to 2 weeks after the placement) on presentation of their ticket receipt.

It is recommended you bring your own transport as public transport in rural areas is not as frequent as required during the placement or for your own freedom after hours.  Car pooling is encouraged.

Contact

Marlene Archbold
Academic / Site Coordinator

Phone: 03 5128 1005