A pleasant surprise last week for Dr James McLeod, Renmark GP and MDRS Riverland Clinical Educator.

The Renmark Medical Clinic are supporting the town of Lameroo with visiting GP’s and when there he was called to visit a resident in the aged care facility.

The resident was Marg Brown (AO), who has had significant involvement in rural community engagement and has been a long-time advocate for improving health in our communities.

Flinders Rural and Remote Health SA annually award a prize, named in her honour to a graduating Doctor of Medicine (MD) student who has made a significant contribution to a South Australian rural community outside their medical course curriculum requirements, and completed a rural SA placement.

James was a recipient of the prize in 2009, following his third year PRCC placement in Renmark in 2008, and during this time was an honorary Lions Club member attending their fortnightly meetings and helped with approximately 15 working bees including helping pave a memorial area, cooking for the Variety Bash, fox baiting at Oak Bore Conservation Area and collecting and moving furniture for a huge garage sale fundraiser.

Both were thrilled to see each other, James recognising Marg from his student days and although Marg is older, she is still in good spirits and keen to chat.