SQRH - Southern Queensland Rural Health

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SQRH - Southern Queensland Rural Health

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Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH) is a University Department of Rural Health committed to developing a high quality and highly skilled rural health workforce across the greater Darling Downs and South West Queensland regions.

29/10/2026

Sporting Horizons Day! 🏅

Our SQRH St George team recently attended the Country University Centre (CUC) Balonne Sporting Horizons Day, helping inspire the next generation of health and sporting professionals!

Queensland University of Technology Dietetics students Kara and Hannah did a fantastic job introducing local children to the role nutrition plays in sporting performance and the exciting career opportunities available in dietetics.

They were joined by Physiotherapist Josh, Exercise Physiologist Steve and SQRH Director Melissa, who helped showcase the diverse career pathways available in sport and healthcare.

It was a great opportunity to connect with local students, share knowledge and encourage young people to explore future careers in health and sport.

A big thank you to CUC Balonne for having us! 👏

CUC Balonne
Queensland University of Technology,Brisbane, Australia

27/10/2026

Pizza, games and great company! 🍕🎲

Our SQRH students recently enjoyed a fun-filled games and pizza night in Kingaroy, hosted by our Student Support Co-ordinator Ci-Ahn and Nursing Educator Adeline.

The evening brought together Nursing and Midwifery, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Medicine students currently completing placements at Kingaroy Hospital.

Rural placements are about more than gaining hands-on experience. They're also an opportunity to build friendships, feel part of a community and connect with others on a similar journey.

At SQRH, we're proud to create opportunities that help students feel supported, included and connected throughout their rural placement experience.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for a great night!

The University of Queensland
University of Southern Queensland - Australia
Rural Medical Education Australia

23/10/2026

Congratulations Dr Nadeesha Kalyani!

QRHIRC is proud to support the project:

🕺 Arts-Based Rehabilitation for People with Lived Experience of Parkinson's Disease in Rural Queensland

Funded through a QRHIRC Research Grant ($7,499.93), this project will investigate how arts-based rehabilitation approaches can be sustainably delivered in rural communities, improving access to support and rehabilitation for people living with Parkinson's disease.

Led by University of Southern Queensland - Australia in partnership with SQRH - Southern Queensland Rural Health, Darling Downs Health, La Trobe University, Dance for Parkinson's Australia and Parkinson's Queensland, the project places community needs and lived experience at the centre of innovation.

Congratulations to Dr Kalyani and the project team!

23/10/2026

The value of time in a rural community as a health student ripens pathways for the future. Jennifer’s reflection shares her experience as a UniSQ student in collaboration with SQRH student led clinics and staff.

22/10/2026

Today, CUC Western Downs welcomed Professor Rowena Barrett, QUT Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship and Regional Innovation), and Professor Alistair Barros, Head of QUT’s School of Information Systems, to Chinchilla. It was great to connect and begin building relationships to support entrepreneurship, regional development and innovation in the Western Downs.

Pictured with our guests and CUC Western Downs Centre Manager Alexandra Wilson-Rummenie are Colleen Forde from SQRH - Southern Queensland Rural Health, and Summer, one of our QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Pharmacy placement students.

22/10/2026

Building Cultural Awareness and Understanding 💚

Our SQRH St George students recently participated in Cultural Safety Training, facilitated by Renae, SQRH Clinical Educator, Indigenous Health.

Dietetics students Hannah and Kara, alongside Physiotherapy students Irene and Sarah, had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of cultural safety and its importance in delivering respectful, inclusive and culturally responsive healthcare.

Training opportunities like these are an important part of preparing our future healthcare professionals to work effectively with diverse communities, particularly in rural and regional settings.

A valuable learning experience for everyone involved!

The University of Queensland
Queensland University of Technology,Brisbane, Australia

20/10/2026

Supporting Health and Wellbeing ♥️

Our University of Queensland Physiotherapy students, Sarah and Irene, have been putting their skills into practice through the SQRH St George Recharge Program!

Working alongside local participants, the students are helping individuals get back on track with their exercise routines and work towards their personal health and wellbeing goals.

It's a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable hands-on experience while making a positive difference in the health of our rural communities.

Great work, Sarah and Irene! 👏

The University of Queensland

15/10/2026

Recognising Mental Health Week 💚

Our SQRH St George staff and students recently joined forces with Care Balonne and St George Hospital staff to co-facilitate a special Parents Group session for Mental Health Week.

The morning focused on how sensory play can support self-regulation, with parents and children encouraged to explore, learn and play together through three interactive stations:

🖐️ Touch and Discover
🏃 Move and Play
💚 Calm and Connect

It was a wonderful opportunity to bring students, healthcare professionals, and local families together to explore practical ways to support wellbeing through play.
A big thank you to Beth, Rural Family Support Officer at Care Balonne, for inviting us along and helping make the morning such a success!

Queensland University of Technology,Brisbane, Australia
Care Balonne Assoc. Inc.
South West Hospital and Health Service

13/10/2026

Today, we celebrate International Allied Health Professions Day! 💙

Allied health professionals play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across Australia.

At SQRH, we’re proud to support the next generation of allied health professionals through rural training experiences that build skills, confidence and a greater understanding of healthcare in regional communities.

To all the allied health professionals, students, educators and supervisors making a difference across our region, thank you for the important work you do.

08/10/2026

🌟 Student Placement Spotlight 🌟

Meet Gemma Sullivan, an Occupational Therapy student from the University of Queensland who completed a 10-week rural placement at Day Dot Allied Health in Roma.

💬 “What I enjoyed most about my rural placement was getting the chance to really immerse myself in the local community and way of life.”

✨ Highlights from her experience:
✔️ Becoming part of the local community through sport and social events
✔️ Experiencing the broader scope and autonomy of rural healthcare
✔️ Developing adaptability while working with different challenges and resources
✔️ Building close friendships with other students on placement

Gemma’s top tips for future rural placement students:
🔵 Check out the accommodation when choosing your placement location
🔵 Say yes to new experiences, even if they’re outside your comfort zone
🔵 Don’t worry about arriving somewhere you don’t know anyone - other students are in the same boat
🔵 Reach out to SQRH for support with logistics, wellbeing or financial concerns

🏡 Gemma stayed in SQRH accommodation and described it as a brilliant experience, providing the opportunity to live with fellow students while making her rural placement more affordable.

Thank you, Gemma, for sharing your experience. We’re so pleased to hear how much you gained both professionally and personally from your time in Roma!

🌐 To read more, visit the link below –
https://shorturl.at/rr2E4

Address

Baillie Henderson Hospital Campus, Corner Hogg And Tor Streets
Toowoomba, QLD
4350

Telephone

+61746339777

Website

http://www.sqrh.com.au/

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