Powerful on Country student experiences change healthcare

At the Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (GUDRH) in Kalgoorlie, students from metropolitan Perth arrive with little more than textbook knowledge of Aboriginal culture—and leave with a transformation of their perspective. In the vast, ancient landscape of the Goldfields, where 17 different Aboriginal language groups call home and where the Wangkatha People have maintained a rich heritage across the Great Victorian and Gibson Deserts, a unique cultural journey unfolds.

Before beginning their placements, many students rate their understanding of Aboriginal cultural values and health as merely “average or below average.” However, upon arrival, they are immersed in a blend of classroom learning, site-specific cultural education sessions, and hands-on experiences on Country that radically shift that perspective. The tailored program not only deepens their knowledge of remote Aboriginal health and wellbeing but also highlights the intricate relationship between local healthcare access and cultural safety.

Central to this transformation is the guidance of GUDRH’s Aboriginal Liaison Adviser, Tyrone. A native of the Goldfields, Tyrone provides students with a window into the historical, social, and cultural contexts that shape local Aboriginal life. During orientation, he openly discusses the protocols of Welcome to Country, along with the solemn practices of Sorry business and mourning. His candid storytelling helps students appreciate the layers of tradition that inform community health practices.

As the students venture on Country, they experience firsthand the power of personal interaction with community members and local Elders. On a Kalgoorlie town site tour led by Tyrone, for example, students witness places steeped in meaning and gain a tangible sense of the deep-rooted connection between the land and its people. These moments challenge any stereotypical views they may have held, replacing them with a respect for the resilience, cultural uniqueness, and hope that characterize the community.

By the time the placement concludes, students are equipped not only with enhanced cultural knowledge but also with the confidence to provide more effective, culturally safe healthcare. The experience at GUDRH acts as a bridge—connecting metropolitan learners with the lived realities of remote Aboriginal communities and ultimately fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment.

In this way, the Goldfields UDRH is not just an educational institution; it is a catalyst for change, preparing the next generation of healthcare practitioners to make a positive, lasting impact in communities that face significant challenges in accessing healthcare.