Build 'Em Up

In Episode 19 of Build ‘Em Up, we chat to Stephanie Trethewey, founder of Motherland, about her journey as a mother and how she became passionate about supporting rural mothers across Australia. It takes a village to raise a child, but according to Stephanie, it can be a challenge to find that village in parts of rural Australia. Motherland, therefore, is an online platform for rural mothers craving social connection and emotional support through the seasons of motherhood.

In Episode 18 of Build ‘Em Up, we hear from delegates to the 16th National Rural Health Conference (NRHC), held on 2-4 August 2022 in Brisbane, on their motivations for working rurally, as well as their suggestions to improve rural health service delivery.

We hear stories of courage and resilience, and the strong partnerships built to improve rural health care accessibility. Thank you to all speakers for their suggestions and for highlighting that bridging health care gaps needs strong commitment and comprehensive strategies.

Following are the speakers in Episode 18:  Andrew Coe, CEO Western NSW Primary Health Network; Lucy Bliss, James Cook University; Dr Kim Houghton, Regional Australia Institute; Dr Joan van Rotterdam, Australian Chiropractors Association; Prof Sabina Knight, Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health; Alynda Wayman, Manager, COVID-19 Vaccination Program, GV Health; Dr Helen Roberts, Clinical Director, GV Health; Prof Julie Satur, University of Melbourne Dental School; Marianne St Clair, Managing Director and Senior Research Fellow, Simbani Research; Vicki Wade, Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia; Erin Ferguson, Paediatric RHD Clinical Nurse Consultant, Queensland Health; Dr Richard Colbran, CEO NSW Rural Doctors Network; Joyce Tan, Royal Flying Doctor Service; David Lim, Curtin University, School of Population Health; Mike Stephens, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation; Baneen Alrubayi, National Rural Health Student Network; Nicola Murphy, National Rural Health Student Network; Josephine Canceri, Western Sydney University, School of Medicine; Kara Milne, NT Health; Christine Giles, Portland, Victoria. 

In Episode 17 of Build ‘Em Up  we chat to Annabelle Hickson, founder and editor-in-chief of Galah magazine. Annabelle is on a mission to change the narrative about rural living, celebrating the beauty, opportunity, creativity, cultural diversity and community that thrives outside of our major cities. We discuss the importance of this cultural shift in relation to the recruitment and retention of a high-quality health workforce in rural Australia.

Episode 16 of Build ‘Em Up is guest hosted by Jennifer Ganske, National Tourism and Arts Head at NBN. She chats to Paulene Mackell from the National Ageing Research Institute about the “Art centres supporting our elders” research program, looking at the impact of the Community Controlled Art Centres model of Indigenous Art Centres on connectivity and health and wellbeing.

In Episode 15 we chat with Nicki Bardwell, CEO of Fair Game. Fair Game has been around for over 10 years and delivers unique health and fitness programs and pre-loved sporting equipment to remote and under-serviced communities around Australia, predominantly in WA.

In Episode 14 we chat with Emma Sullings, founder of the Happy Boxes Project. This charity provides toiletries and beauty products to women and girls in remote parts of Australia. Their network of coordinators in remote communities help to ensure “happy boxes” of personal care items reach those most in need. 

In Episode 13 we chat with Sallie Jones and Steve Ronalds, co-founders of Gippsland Jersey. Gippsland Jersey is giving dairy farmers a fair gate-price for their local milk and supporting farmers’ mental health. This episode includes discussion of mental health issues, so if it raises any concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

In Episode 12 we chat with Kylie Toynton, a speech pathologist from Gunnedah in north-west NSW who is building a digital service – with the support of an nbnTM Innovate grant – to offer synchronous online allied health therapy and training packages for parents, teachers and schools.

In Episode 11 of Build ‘Em Up we chat to Bendigo GP Kirby White who responded to the COVID-19 PPE crisis by hand-sewing protective gowns to give to doctors free of charge, and then setting up her initiative Gowns for Doctors. This was on top of being recently married and establishing her own GP practice just as the pandemic hit Australia. Kirby is yet to find the time to arrange a honeymoon! 

Are you dreaming of a healthier festive season? In Episode 10 of the Build ‘Em Up podcast we catch up with Shanna Whan, the founder of Sober in the Country. Almost single-handedly, Shanna is leading the conversation about alcohol addiction in rural Australia and is working flat strap, day-in and day-out, to change the culture of drinking in the bush through the campaign, it’s OK2SAYNO to an alcoholic beverage.