Medical students community contributions recognised with Bendigo Bank award
Monash University medical students Charlie Roach and Sophie Fontaine were recognised recently for their outstanding contributions to rural communities in the Loddon Mallee region with the Bendigo Bank Community Project Award.
While studying medicine in Bendigo, Sophie volunteered at St Therese's and Bendigo Violet St Primary local schools as part of the Teddy Bear Hospital program which aims to make health care a less scary experience for children, and also raise their awareness of careers in health care.
Sophie also worked several casual jobs in the region, including tutoring, cleaning and babysitting. Sophie also threw herself into the community, joining the Bendigo rowing club, basketball competition, Run About Bendigo (running and bootcamp club in Rosalind Park), won the premiership with Kyneton Football Club, and volunteered with the Kyneton Kindness Collective which runs a FoodBank and OpShop.
During her GP placement at Ranges Medical in New Gisborne, Sophie spoke with residents at Warrina Aged Care and recognised a need for engagement to overcome feelings of isolation. Following discussions with staff, she organised a jazzercise event, which gave residents a social outing and a chance to enjoy the feeling of exercising to music and meeting new people. Sophie felt that it is important to listen to the needs of people in the community.
“When going into a new community and wanting to make some positive change in a short amount of time, it is so important to listen to the needs of the people and check that there isn’t already something available,” Sophie reflected.
“From this event I was able to refine my project management and communication skills, drawing upon my resources and building up my network to play a little part in offering a community-oriented and stimulating event for the aged care residents.”
Sophie is planing to spend the money she received for the award to volunteer in the emergency department of Port Vila hospital in Vanuatu in the middle of the year, bringing clinical donations of consumables with her.
“This will be a wonderfully eye-opening experience both clinically and culturally and something that I have had planned for a long time.”
Charlie was recognised for his involvement with the communities of Swan Hill and Mildura during his clinical placements there, with extensive involvement in local sport through parkruns, riding with Swan Hill Bikes and Trikes, and joining the Murray Downs Golf Club. Charlie also volunteered at Nyah District Primary School as part of the Teddy Bear Hospital program.
In Mildura, Charlie joined the Mildura Running Club, and Mildura Masters Swimming Club. He also volunteered with St John Ambulance, supporting events like the Mildura Drag Races and Blue Light Disco. In his role as treasurer of Wildfire Mildura, Monash University's Student Rural and Indigenous Health Club, Charlie also organised several events in the community, including a trivia night at Fossey’s Distillery where money was raised for the Salvation Army.
Charlie reflected on how being involved in the community helped prepare him to serve the community as a clinician in the future.
“Volunteering in both local communities - especially through St John in Mildura - further immersed me into the community. The more I participated, the more I became an active contributor. This provided a great sense of fulfilment, and broadened my perspectives on life in a rural town. Gaining a greater perspective of what it means to provide value in a small community, also gave me a better understanding of how I could adapt to being a future clinician in these communities – which I think was an invaluable experience.”
For students about to go on a rural placement, Charlie suggests to start engaging through an avenue you really enjoy.
“Look for ways to continue existing hobbies in your new community, and you'll quickly realise how easily your life integrates into the community. I'd also emphasise how pivotal this integration is in your overall rural/regional experience.”
The Bendigo Bank Community Project Award was first established in 2017 and is awarded annually to recognise the effort and contribution of community involvement of Monash Rural Health’s fourth-year medical students, based in rural hubs across the Loddon Mallee region. Sponsored by the Bendigo Bank, the recipients are presented with cash sponsorship, plaque and their name is added to the honour board at Monash Rural Health Bendigo.
Associate Professor Dennis O’Connor, Monash Rural Health Bendigo’s Year 4C Academic Coordinator, said the initiative aimed to inspire students to engage in their placement community outside of their rostered time in the GP clinic or teaching days and to allow students a chance to give something back to the communities who generously supported their placements.
“Charlie and Sophie are outstanding examples of how medical students can immerse themselves in a community and develop maturity, leadership and a spirit of community mindedness that will serve rural communities well in the future. We are proud to recognise Charlie and Sophie with the Bendigo Bank Community Project Award ”