“Working as a physiotherapist, you can change lives for the better.”
Charity Selleck lives that belief every day. The Flinders University graduate now works in East Arnhem Land, where she first arrived as a placement student in 2022.
From Bedford Park to Nhulunbuy
Charity completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Physiotherapy) and a Master of Physiotherapy at Flinders’ Bedford Park campus in Adelaide. She grew up in rural Australia and knew she did not want a city career. She sought out rural and remote placements, including Port Lincoln and Berri in South Australia. A visit to Darwin sealed her interest. “I fell in love with the laid back lifestyle of the NT,” she says.
Her placement coordinator then mentioned a final eight-week placement in Nhulunbuy.
Learning on Yolngu country
Charity identifies as Indigenous and jumped at the chance. Nhulunbuy is home to the Yolngu people, who hold one of the richest and most connected cultures in Australia.
Her days included visiting Yolngu homes, running group exercise sessions and learning about bush medicine on country. She built relationships, learned respectful ways to communicate and picked up basic Yolngu language. Those connections last. She now treats the families of people she met as a student.
A varied career in remote health
Since her graduation Charity worked as a generalist physiotherapist in a private practice. She was also regularly flying to communities including Milingimbi and Gapuwiyak with Miwatj Aboriginal Health Service.
Her caseload covered NDIS, neurological, musculoskeletal, paediatric and aged care patients. “It really is hard to get bored with my profession working here,” she says.
Four years on following her initial placement, Charity is still based in Nhulunbuy and now working as an occupational health physiotherapist for Rio Tinto.
More than a placement
Nhulunbuy offers clear blue water, excellent fishing and diving, rich wildlife and Australia’s largest women’s fishing competition. Charity sums it up simply: “It is a place you must visit at least once in your lifetime.”
Thinking about a Northern Territory placement?
Charity’s advice is direct. “Step outside of your comfort zone and approach the placement with an open mind”. You may find you love it too.