About Doctor What? Doctor Where? Stories of Rural Medicine in Victoria
Choosing a career pathway in medicine is a tough decision. With so many specialty options to choose from, the possibilities often seem endless and it can be hard to decide what medicine to practice and where.
This series of conversations with doctors at all stages of their career across regional Victoria paints a picture of what training and practicing rural medicine is like, and the lifestyle that accompanies it.
If you are interested in a medical career, beginning, part way through or finishing up your training, or just looking for career inspiration, this is the podcast for you!
What if you could complete your entire medical degree in one rural community… and help address the doctor shortage at the same time?
In this episode we explore the brand-new Monash Mildura General Practice Academy (https://www.monash.edu/medicine/rural-health/medicine-students/mildura), an innovative rural medical pathway designed to train future doctors in Mildura from start to finish.
You’ll hear from Georgia Morris, one of the first 10 graduate students accepted into the four-year program, who shares her journey from uncertainty after high school, including changing degrees, to finding her place in medicine and rural healthcare.
Originally from Albury-Wodonga, Georgia also understands first-hand how hard it can be to find continuity of care in regional Victoria. Now just six months into the course, she already feels at home in Mildura and is looking forward to building her future there.
In this episode, Georgia discusses:
What the Monash Mildura GP Academy actually involves.
The challenges of continuity of care in rural communities.
Overcoming self-doubt in medicine.
The value of smaller cohorts and supportive learning environments.
How this pathway could help address workforce shortages in Mildura.
For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website (https://monash.edu/medicine/rural-health).
The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub here. (http://www.regionalmedicaltraining.com.au/regional-training-hubs/)
24 Jun 2026
What are the True Costs of Training Pathways?
How much does it really cost a doctor to specialise, including in the highly competitive field of surgery?
In this episode, we go beyond tuition fees and exam costs to explore the true cost of training pathways, including the financial burden, time, uncertainty, and the impact on life outside medicine.
You’ll hear from three doctors at different stages of their careers:
Dr Sumudu Welikumbura, (https://au.linkedin.com/in/sumudu-welikumbura-a3a44a147) a general surgical registrar who is currently balancing training with parenting.
Associate Professor Janelle Brennan (https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/janelle-brennan/), Urologist at Bendigo Health (https://bendigohealth.org.au/) and Director of the North West Victoria Regional Training Hub. (https://www.monash.edu/medicine/rural-health/hubs/about-us/north-west-victoria)
Dr Madeleine Leung (https://au.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-leung-660502b7), a rural psychiatrist who completed her training in at the Mildura Base Public Hospital (https://www.mbph.org.au/)
They discuss the difficult decisions they have had to make along the way, including around family planning and delayed career progression. But they also explain the opportunities training in regional Victoria has given them, from highly supportive workplaces, funding options and flexibility.
Ultimately, they discuss whether all the time and effort has been worth it.
For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website (https://monash.edu/medicine/rural-health).
The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub here. (http://www.regionalmedicaltraining.com.au/regional-training-hubs/)
17 Jun 2026
Careers in Wilderness and Expedition Medicine: From Ultramarathons to Antarctica
What if a medical career could take you far beyond the walls of a hospital?
In this episode, we explore the growing world of wilderness and expedition medicine, where doctors work in remote, resource-limited and often extreme environments.
Fortunately dramatic rescues are rare and wilderness medicine is often more about planning, prevention and managing risk in environments where help may be hours or days away.
You’ll hear from two doctors building careers that combine medicine, adventure, logistics and leadership:
Dr Molly Cargill – an ACRRM registrar and wilderness medicine educator heading to Antarctica later this year to work as a doctor on New Zealand’s Scott Base.
Dr Sophie Fontaine – junior doctor in Gippsland with a passion for expedition medicine, disaster response and extreme environment research.
Both guests also speak about how rural generalist training complements expedition and wilderness medicine; where being calm, adaptable and resourceful when there’s no easy back up, is key.
In this episode:
What wilderness and expedition medicine actually involve.
Why prevention and logistics are just as important as emergency response.
The realities of practicing medicine in remote environments
The non-clinical skills needed, including leadership and communication
Practical advice for junior doctors interested in this pathway
For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website (https://monash.edu/medicine/rural-health).
The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub here. (http://www.regionalmedicaltraining.com.au/regional-training-hubs/)
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
18
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
81
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