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Sometimes, all it takes is one Go Rural trip to change your future
29th May 2026
By Ashlyn Brown
On Thursday 21 May, 20 university healthcare students studying medicine, nursing and allied health said sayonara to the city and headed west for a four-day journey through the Murrumbidgee and south western regions of NSW.
Travelling through Canowindra, Young, Cootamundra, Junee, Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga, students were given behind-the-scenes access to rural health services, local communities and the unique career opportunities available outside metropolitan areas.
The Go Rural program is designed to inspire students, particularly those from metropolitan backgrounds, towards a rewarding career in rural health. Open to all disciplines, the trip gives medical, nursing and allied health students firsthand insight into rural practice, lifestyle and community connection.
For former participant Chloe Kuiper, one Go Rural trip was enough to completely change the course of her future.
“I was from Wollongong and honestly had never been further west than Canberra. Fast forward to 2026 and I work as a new grad OT in paediatrics at Young Hospital.
“That Go Rural trip completely changed my perspective on health... I knew from that moment I’d end up regional/rural. I’ve now lived in Young for 2 years and spent my final year of uni working in Wagga Wagga.”
For Chloe, this trip was a reminder of just how life-changing the Go Rural experience can be. After joining the program as a student unsure of what rural health could offer, she welcomed the new cohort to Young during their visit to Mercy Care Centre and later joined them for dinner—this time as a rural health professional living and working in the very community that first inspired her.
Her story became a powerful example for students, proving that sometimes, all it takes is one trip to completely reshape your future.
Former RDN Board Member Dr Ros Bullock welcomed students to Canowindra where she hosted a tour of the Canowindra Community Health facilities and offered insights into delivering healthcare in rural areas.
The road trip continued to Cootamundra for coffee and conversation with local psychologist Millie Hardie (aka the Pocket Psychologist) and speech pathologist Georgie Butt at Dusty Road Coffee Roaster.
Rural life took centre stage as students headed off-road to Millie’s farm. Against a backdrop of rolling hills and bleating sheep, students experienced a working dog demonstration and gained a glimpse into the realities, resilience and rewards of rural living.
The road trip continued with lunch at the iconic Junee Liquorice and Chocolate Factory before students toured Leeton Hospital and Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), learning more about the diversity of healthcare settings and the importance of culturally safe care in regional communities.
Evenings were equally memorable, with students connecting over dinner at Griffith’s Little Italy before an optional run club in the morning, showcasing the strong sense of community and lifestyle balance rural towns can offer.
Further west, students toured Hay AMS where they had the privilege of hearing from local Aboriginal man John “Gubba” Woods, who shared some of the history and challenges for Indigenous people in the region. Next stop was Deniliquin District Hospital where the group heard directly from local healthcare professionals about the opportunities, challenges and close-knit nature of rural practice.
The trip concluded in Wagga Wagga with a tour of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, giving students insight into one of regional NSW’s largest referral hospitals and the breadth of career pathways available in rural health.
“It’s not uncommon for some students to have never visited a rural or remote town before, so it can be a completely new experience for them,” said Rural Doctors Network’s Future Workforce Program Lead Sam Zelinski.
“I hope these trips inspire more students to pursue a career in rural health, but regardless of where they end up, having a greater understanding of the challenges these populations face is hugely beneficial.”
From hospital tours and community visits to farm experiences and shared meals, the Go Rural trip offered students much more than a glimpse into rural healthcare – it showcased the people, places and connections that make regional living so rewarding.
And for some students, it may just be the beginning of a future they never expected.
Go Rural will be hitting the road again in September! To stay up to date on application dates, you can follow Rural Doctors Network on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or watch the Go Rural homepage.
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