Monash Rural Health Gippsland staff members and first year graduate entry medical students were excited to attend Camp Marook, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The camp provides an opportunity to participate in outdoor education activities, hear positive health messages and learn healthcare skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that can be applied in their communities. The five Monash Rural Health students enjoyed supporting the supervisors and children, teaching skills, as well as canoeing and playing an impromptu game of soccer which the medical student team graciously lost. There were lots of opportunities to talk about career aspirations and careers in medicine specifically.
The students enjoyed the interactions, highlighting the kindness and spontaneity of the children who were keen to make connections and share stories. Students also recognised that teaching improved their knowledge and understanding, and talking to the children gave them a unique perspective on medicine and its practice as a career.
