A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words.
That’s why the RACGP is running a photo exhibition to showcase the experiences of members working in rural or remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Launched as part of ‘This Rural Life’, a new collaborative project of the college’s Rural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health faculties, the competition aims to inspire others to pursue a career in rural general practice by showcasing the diverse work and skills being carried out in communities across Australia.
‘We know that our rural doctors and those working in Indigenous communities have some of the highest levels of professional satisfaction and personal satisfaction in their roles,’ Dr Michael Clements, Chair of RACGP Rural, said.
‘So we’re hoping that through using the photo competition and using these stories, we can really connect with and engage with the membership to think about taking on some of this work.’
Professor Peter O’Mara, Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, was always drawn to working rurally and says he innately knew that he was going to work in Aboriginal health.
‘That’s the whole reason I became a doctor – it’s just something that grabbed me,’ he said.
‘I used that for a driver as well when I was under pressure as a student. When I was exposed to racism, I thought “I could just not be here at uni” … but then I thought “No, one day the community is going to benefit from me being a doctor”.’
Now open, entries into the ‘This Rural Life’ photo competition should capture the experiences of members working in primary care in rural or remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Each submission must include a title and photo description of up to 150 words, including which Country they work and live on.
The winner will be awarded a free digital registration to GP21 and the runner up will receive $150, as well as an RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health commemorative polo.
The expert judging panel will include representatives from the RACGP Rural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health councils, with the top 10 selected photos to be featured throughout the ‘This Rural Life’ project.
Entrants must be a member of the RACGP and only one submission is permitted per person. Entries close on Monday 9 August 2021. More information is available on the RACGP website.