Elspeth joined Flinders University in this new role in February 2020. It’s broadly focussed, with responsibilities include raising the profile of Rural and Remote Health SA through events, communications and initiatives; exploring and developing opportunities for community engagement; and ensuring that regional diversity is acknowledged.
The role also includes managing content across media platforms including the Flinders website (Rural Health), social media, local regional media and internal publications, identifying and developing collaborations with existing programs, the implementation and growth of Community Reference Groups within each of the regions that Rural and Remote Health SA operates and developing and maintaining relationships with local regional media, local communities and community groups.
What do you value most about working at Flinders? This is a role that I’ve really been able to adapt my skills and community contacts to. Honestly, it’s a fabulous job and I love going to work each day, catching up with the team at our many rural SA sites, and meeting amazing people from communities. It’s provided me with an opportunity to work with and develop friendships with the most extraordinarily talented, diverse and committed people. From researchers to educators and professional staff, everyone works to benefit rural health and rural communities through education, research, partnerships and engagement, with the ultimate goal of growing our rural health workforce.
What are the benefits of working in a rural location? I grew up on a sheep station in the North East (there wasn’t a school, let alone a television … or even power for that matter!) and have predominantly lived my life in remote or rural areas. Being part of a smaller, caring community and developing diverse networks certainly benefits my working and personal life. Seeing big night skies, the river from my window every morning, no suburban streets or noise from traffic, it’s a bit like waking in a chocolate box every morning!
What role does Flinders University play in rural communities? We have a positive impact on our community which goes far beyond education and research. There is an obvious economic benefit, because we prioritise local tradespeople and businesses as the preferred providers for goods and services. We all shop locally, the children of our staff go to local schools, staff and students play sport in their communities and community representatives in turn are part of sub quota selection and student prize panels. Our inaugural Community Partnership Grant will allow community groups to develop an activity or deliver an activity of benefit to build community health and wellbeing.
What were the biggest professional challenges / changes during the pandemic? The lack of connectedness with the team when we were working from home was a challenge. We missed the daily contact, support and just popping down the corridor for meetings. On a positive note, we learned to use technology in ways that were not possible a few years ago, online meetings via Teams and Zoom were amazing and the IDS staff so knowledgeable and supportive with issues and user tips. While it was wonderful to get back on campus, many of the tools we learned to use during lockdown will be here to stay and allow for productivity in ways we had not imagined. On a personal level, it was a challenge as with all inequities in the country, at home we have very poor and slow internet access, bit of a trade off for living out there.
What have been some of your proudest moments at Flinders? It’s been really interesting meeting with students and alumni (ex PRCC program) and writing about their experiences and pathways to medicine. It’s wonderful that they have all been so generous with their time and willing to share their experiences to inspire others. perhaps what I’ve found to be one of the most fascinating things is the diverse range of life experiences that people accumulated before settling on medicine as a career! Some of my colleagues who have been around a lot longer than I have often shared how they form a familiar bond with the students each year… and I can see how! I am so proud of our students: their commitment to learning, often against adversity (such as single parenting children whilst still excelling in their studies), is totally inspirational.
Tell us something about yourself others may not know. I have worked as a shearers cook, had an owner classer wool stencil, was a registered nurse for many years and also started and ran a successful clothing design and manufacturing business for over 20 years. You could say that, like most people in rural and remote communities, I’ve had to be a Jill of all trades!
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? Like most of us, definitely my family, which comprises my husband and two wonderful sons. I’m also perhaps a little bit overly excited that I am soon to become a first-time grandmother. Speaking of growing from seed, my vegetable garden is my sanity. It is so rewarding growing food, sharing the harvest and knowing exactly what has gone into the process.