Placement site information
Nathalia
Nathalia is located on the banks of the Broken Creeks in the centre of the Goulburn Valley. Only two and a half hours drive from Melbourne and only 43 kilometres away from Shepparton via Goulburn Valley Highway, Nathalia Barmah Road, Murray Valley Highway and Blake Street, Nathalia makes a great base to explore all that is on offer in the region. There is public transport to Shepparton, but no taxi, rail or bus to Nathalia on a regular basis. Country lifestyle and hospitality is noticeable here and visitors are welcomed with warmth and friendly smile. Nathalia has a population of 1416 with an area of 3.6 kilometres. Nathalia District Hospital (Elizabeth St) is at the north end of the town on the Murray Valley Highway. It provides community with quality health services in a pleasant, caring and safe environment. Accommodation is available at the hospital, but it is a very small flat. It has toilet, shower and laundry facilities, 2 beds and kitchenette.
Nathalia is the gateway to the Barmah Forest (the worlds largest red gum forest) – a wetland of international significance and is home to unique native wildlife and to 200 species of birds. The forest is the last known nesting site of the endangered Superb Parrot in Victoria.
All services including motel and caravan park accommodation are available in town. One of the best country bakeries is also found in Nathalia.
A wide range of activities and events including indoor and outdoor sports, bushwalking, recreation and leisure program for the disabled and canoe club is available in Nathalia. Flower show in March, Barmah Muster & Bush dance in April, Nathalia agricultural show in October and Strawberry festival in November are the important events in the town.
Public transport: V/Line: Melbourne - Heathcote - Nathalia – Barmah
For further information: Nathalia Community Craft & Visitor Information Centre, Blake Street, Nathalia 3638. Phone (03) 5866 3063
Students are encouraged to submit photos that they have taken during their town visits for posting at this site. The photos should be of buildings of interest and the natural environment. Photos may include the student, but not others without their permission. Please email photos to Scott Middleton smid@unimelb.edu.au with a brief note on the town name.
‘Nathalia – Health Information’
Past student completed and suggested project ideas
Teenage Pregnancy
Mental Health
Community Emergency Response Teams
The Ageing Problem
Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Indigenous Australia
Use of ‘Universal Protocol’ when taking blood in a small country town
Mental health e.g. Depression, PTSD is an issue in Nathalia
Past students’ comments/suggestions
The co-ordinator was wonderful, she arranged a lot of stuff for us i.e. dairy farm visit, talk with the high school kids, pathology
The blood taking session was good. I got to draw blood from a patient which is a good practice for me. Dr. Poon was a keen teacher
Lots of community participation.
Hospital staff e.g. Nurses, Physio are supportive
The placement is enjoyable and relaxing
We had a lot of support from the friendly hospital staff.
Our timetable was very well organised with a balance of both community involvement and hospital work
A great community experience. Our preceptor scheduled interesting rural, non-medical activities. We had a great time.
The community atmosphere was amazing, everyone was very welcoming. Dr. Poon was very generous with his time.
We got a very holistic view of health care for the community ( and had opportunities to participate) – district nursing, day activities, pathology, GP, exercise centre, nursing home, community health coordination. Everyone was fantastic.
Staff is keen to teach and help. They made me feel like part of the team and I saw a lot of how the community interacts.