This article is sponsored by the University of Sydney. Authorised by Vice-Chancellor and President Prof. Mark Scott. Enquiries: 9351 2000; info.centre@sydney.edu.au
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The School of Rural Health is excited to welcome the 2025 cohort of first-year medical students, who will undertake the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo.
Nearly half of the 2025 first-year cohort come from the Western and Far West regions of NSW, representing communities such as Orange, Dubbo, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Coonamble, Parkes and Forbes.
They join a total of 93 medical students currently studying in the Dubbo Stream.
Among the first-year students are Central West locals Jonathon Toll, Savana Purss and Grace McRae.
Jonathon grew up in Dubbo and has been working locally. Witnessing the impact of limited healthcare services in rural areas, he was inspired to become a doctor to make a lasting difference in rural communities.
The Dubbo program offers a unique combination of a world-class medical education and the benefits of studying in a rural community.
“The immersive learning experience and smaller cohort offer a great opportunity to train and develop into a medical professional in the bush. The overwhelmingly positive reviews from current and past students, and the community in general, also motivated me to want to study in Dubbo,” said Jonathon.
Orange local Grace McRae echoes similar motivations.
“I had heard really good things about the Dubbo program and the University of Sydney. Being from the area I was really excited to be able to access a great program, without the need to go to the major cities. It’s great that I can spend the full four years in the country and become one of the community. I also have family in the area, so being closer to home while studying was really enticing,” said Grace.
Savana Purss has been a dietitian at Dubbo Hospital for the past three years. While she has always been interested in becoming a doctor, she was uncertain about her chances given the competitive entry process.
“I am most excited to be studying in a town that I already know and love. It’s been an extremely smooth and encouraging process to even apply to study medicine in Dubbo. I found the Dubbo School of Rural Health staff to be extremely encouraging towards local people, and this has made me feel very welcomed,” said Savana.
Professor Catherine Hawke, Head of Clinical School said: “It’s wonderful to see so many students from our region pursuing their dreams to become doctors and we can’t wait to see the impact they will have – both as medical students and future doctors.”
The Dubbo Stream is delivered in new purpose-built facilities, opened in 2022 at the School of Rural Health.
They feature two dedicated learning studios for team based collaborative work, an anatomy teaching lab and a six-suite simulation training centre.
Students use the latest in medical education technology including 3D modelling and virtual and augmented reality while also receiving clinical exposure in the newly redeveloped Dubbo Hospital.
The Dubbo program forms part of the Australian government’s Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network and builds on the University’s long history of over 20 years delivering medical education in the Central West and Western NSW.
