DEPARTMENT of RURAL HEALTH Living and Working in East

DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH

Living and Working in East Wimmera, Victoria INFORMATION PACK

CONTENTS.

LIVING IN EAST WIMMERA 3

Attractions, Culture and Climate 3

Getting around the region 7

Local Facilities 8

Eating out 9

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE 10

Rural Clinical School 10

Going Rural Health student support team 10

Accommodation 11

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EAST WIMMERA 11

This information booklet has been developed to provide you with relevant information about your living and working arrangements within East Wimmera, Australia. We acknowledge that re‐locating to a new region is a daunting yet exciting experience, and there are many logistical aspects to consider. Therefore the ‘Going Rural Health’ team wish to make this transition as easy for you as possible. Please consider the information in this booklet as a general guide to living and working in East Wimmera, Victoria. Our information booklet contains general information and is to be used as a guide only.

This activity has been supported by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program programme. The Department of Rural Health takes no responsibility or liability of the accuracy of the information provided in this document or information provided on the listed websites. This booklet does not endorse the products/services listed throughout.

LIVING IN EAST WIMMERA

One of the largest towns in the region is St Arnaud, which is situated between Avoca and Donald on the Sunraysia Highway (B220), 132km north‐north west from Ballarat. It made up mainly of a farming communities. The larger towns – St Arnaud, Donald, Birchip and Wycheproof – have small hospitals and aged care facilities.

ATTRACTIONS, CULTURE AND CLIMATE:

The East Wimmera region has a hotter drier climate than Melbourne. Summers are hot and dry, spring and autumn are sunny, and winters are mild.

St Arnaud

St Arnaud is a former gold mining town, which now supports agriculture industries of sheep farming, wineries and grain growing. The town itself is partially surrounded by forest.

Wineries in the area include Kara Kara Estate in St Arnaud, Sally’s Paddock in Redback, and a little further south many wineries at Moonambel (closer to Avoca). See more information on yelp: www.yelp.com.au/search?cflt=wineries&find_loc=Saint+Arnaud+Victoria+3478%2C+Australia .

The town centre has many historic buildings from the gold mining era, attractive gardens and parks, and sporting facilities.

The town of Stuarts Mill, where gold was first discovered in 1861, is 23km south of St Arnaud, and some old buildings also remain there from its mining days.

For more information on St Arnaud see www.travelvictoria.com.au/starnaud/ .

Donald

Donald is situated on the Sunraysia Highway (B220) between St Arnaud and Birchip, 39 km from St Arnaud, and is in a region known for wheat, barley and lamb production. The township itself is surrounded by a number of lakes, including Lake Buloke, 8km north of the town, which is renowned for its local birdlife.

Local and national artists have painted murals on a number of local buildings, which are quite striking (see below).

More information on Donald can be found at: www.travelvictoria.com.au/donald/ .

Charlton

Charlton is located 43km north‐north‐east of St Arnaud, and roughly 100km north‐west of Bendigo, on the Avoca River. It has long been known as a grain growing area, and this still the area’s main industry. The Avoca River (below) flows right through the town centre, and parks and walking tracks can be found alongside.

Fourteen kilometres west of Charlton are the Wooroonook Lakes, popular for swimmers, fishermen, boaters and picnickers.

For more information on Charlton, see www.travelvictoria.com.au/charlton/ .

Birchip

Birchip is situated 87 km north‐north‐west of St Arnaud on the Sunraysia Highway, on the southern edge of the Mallee.

Farms in the area grow wheat, barley, canola, and other cereals. Most of the livestock in the district are sheep, though there are pig, turkey, duck and cattle farms also.

Tchum Lake is 8km east of Birchip. Camping, swimming, boating, windsurfing, fishing, water‐skiing, BBQ’s and walking are popular activities.

The Mallee Bull (below) is an icon of Birchip, and has been the backdrop of many visitor photographs since it was instated in the main street in 1991.

See www.birchip.vic.au/ for more information.

Wycheproof

Wycheproof is a small rural town located roughly 60km north of St Arnaud. The name Wycheproof originates from an aboriginal word meaning ‘grass on a hill’. The name refers to Mount Wycheproof, the smallest registered mountain in the world, at only 148 metres above sea level, or 43 metres above the sounding land. The town was established next to the old railway line from Bendigo, and unusually the line runs down the centre of the main street.

Wheat is the main crop farmed in the area. Recently, in an attempt to attract new residents, the local community developed a scheme, inspired by a similar program in NSW, to off otherwise vacant farmhouses for rent at A$1 per week, attracting interest from people all over Australia and the rest of the world.

GETTING AROUND EAST WIMMERA:

Public Transport.

V‐Line trains and buses run numerous times a day from Southern Cross Train Station in Melbourne to Ballarat and Bendigo.

From Bendigo: V‐Line buses travel through St Arnaud to Adelaide.

From Ballarat: V‐line trains occasionally travel through to Ararat. The Overland travels from Ballarat to Stawell via Ararat. V‐line buses travel from Melbourne to Mildura via St Arnaud, Donald and Birchip.

Regional buses: Bendigo ‐ Bendigo to Donald, via St Arnaud, or Bendigo to Woomelang via Charlton, Wycheproof and Birchip. (Swan Hill Bus Lines www.shbl.com.au/ )

Stawell – St Arnaud to Stawell, two services: one bus via Navarre, one via Marnoo. (Swan Hill Bus Lines www.shbl.com.au/ )

For route information and timetables see the public transport Victoria website: www.ptv.vic.gov.au/

Cycling.

Cycling is very popular in rural areas, and is an excellent way to get around. Bike lanes are often available on major highways, though not minor highways.

Driving Yourself.

From Melbourne, take the M8/A8 and bypass Ballarat. Take the Sunraysia Highway (B220) exit west of Ballarat to Avoca and St Arnaud. From St Arnaud continue on the B220 to Donald and Birchip, and eventually to Mildura. East of St Arnaud taking the B240 will eventually take you to Bendigo. North of St Arnaud is the C271 to Wycheproof and the C272 to Charlton. West of St Arnaud the B240 joins the B200 to Horsham, or turn off the B240 close to town onto the C241, then take the C221 to Stawell.

From / to: Ballarat St Arnaud Horsham Bendigo Mildura

St Arnaud 132 - 109 106 329

Donald 171 39 92 145 278

Charlton 175 43 134 105 295

Birchip 219 87 121 170 229

Wycheproof 195 63 141 135 266

(www.travelvictoria.com.au/victoria/distances/)

For up to date emergency information and warnings for weather and bushfires, please see the VicEmergency website (www.emergency.vic.gov.au), or the VicEmergency app.

LOCAL FACILITIES:

Shopping:

 Supermarkets: St Arnaud – see www.travelvictoria.com.au/starnaud/supermarkets/ Donald – see www.travelvictoria.com.au/donald/supermarkets/ Birchip – see www.birchip.vic.au/local‐businesses/retail/ Charlton – see www.travelvictoria.com.au/charlton/supermarkets/ Wycheproof – 316 Broadway, Wycheproof. Ph: 5493 7416

Entertainment:

 The Rex Theatre – see www.therextheatre.org.au  St Arnaud Country Club, 372 St Arnaud‐Wycheproof Road, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 1727

Medical facilities:

 Hospitals: East Wimmera Health Service. All sites have 24 hour Emergency Departments staffed by local GP’s. St Arnaud Campus – 52 North Western Road, St Arnaud. Ph: 5477 2100 Donald Campus – Aitken Avenue, Donald. Ph: 5478 6200 Charlton Campus – 4 Learmonth Street, Charlton. Ph: 5477 6800 Birchip Campus – 26 Duncan Street, Birchip. Ph: 5477 7100 Wycheproof Campus – 19 Grandview Street, Wycheproof. Ph: 5478 0700  St Arnaud Medical Centre – 66 McMahon Street, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 1766  Donald Family Clinic – 7 McCracken Avenue, Donald. Ph: 5497 1100  Charlton Medical – 4‐8 Menzies Street, Charlton. Ph: 5477 6888  Birchip Medical Clinic – 26 Duncan Street, Birchip. Ph: 5477 7105  Wycheproof Medical Centre – 23/12 Grandview Street, Wycheproof. Ph: 5493 7672

Health / leisure:

 St Arnaud Swimming Pool, Grant Street, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 1981  Wycheproof Swimming Pool, 21 Charles Street, Wycheproof. Ph: 1300 520 520  Donald Swimming Pool, 150 Woods Street, Donald. Ph: 5497 1237  Birchip Swimming Pool, Cumming Avenue, Birchip. Ph: 5492 2344  Charlton Swimming Pool, Mildura Way, Charlton. Ph: 5491 1429

Banks:

See the links below for bank locations, opening hours and ATMs. The postcode for St Arnaud is 3478, Birchip is 3483, Donald is 3480, Charlton is 3525 and Whycheproof is 3527.

 NAB ‐ see www.nab.com.au/locations for nab, and rediATM  Westpac ‐ see www.westpac.com.au/locateus/#/  ANZ – see www.locate.anz.com/anz/australia/  Bendigo Bank – see www.bankofmelbourne.com.au/locator#/  Commonwealth Bank – see www.commbank.com.au/digital/locate‐us/

Child care facilities:

Visit www.careforkids.com.au/ for information in the region.

EATING OUT IN EAST WIMMERA:

East Wimmera has a range of places to dine out, catering for a variety of cuisines, diets and budgets. Some of the more popular facilities are listed below, including their price range.

Cafes:

 Six2Six, 16 Kings Avenue, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 1894 $‐$$  Wood Street Café, 51 Woods Street, Donald. Ph: 5497 1313 $‐$$  The Boyz Café, 27 High Street, Charlton. Ph: 5491 1414 $  Sharp’s Bakery, 47 Cumming Avenue, Birchip. Ph: 5492 2616 $  Bakery on Broadway, 317 Broadway, Wycheproof. Ph: 5493 7183 $

Pubs & Wine Bars:

 Lamartine, 20 Napier Street, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 2378 $$‐$$$  Donald Hotel, 126 Woods Street, Donald. Ph: 5497 1410 $$‐$$$  Cricket Club Hotel, 92 High Street, Charlton. Ph: 5491 1604 $$‐$$$  Birchip Hotel, 1 Watchem Road, Birchip. Ph: 5492 2612 $$‐$$$  Royal Mail Hotel, 340 Broadway, Wycheproof. Ph: 5493 7401 $$‐$$$

Restaurants:

 St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan Street, St Arnaud. Ph: 5495 3111 $$‐$$$  Donald Chinese Restaurant, 20 Woods Street, Donald. Ph: 5497 1547 $$‐$$$

Only a small number of the restaurants in the area are listed. Find more on Trip advisor at: www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurants

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

DUNVEGAN HOUSE – Rural Clinical School

The Ballarat Rural Clinical School has been in operation since July 2002. Academic ‘Going Rural Health’ staff have been on site since October 2016. Melbourne University has many subsidised accommodation options for clinical placement students in the Ballarat area, including at the Creswick campus.

GOING RURAL HEALTH STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM:

‘Going Rural Health’ is a Commonwealth funded initiative run by the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH), as part of the University of Melbourne. Our programs have been developed to support Nursing and Allied Health students undertaking placements in a rural setting throughout the broader Shepparton, Wangaratta, and Ballarat regions. Our team actively works with health services and education providers, along with students directly to assist and improve the learning and experiences that students gain during their rural clinical placements. All of our programs and initiatives are targeted towards developing our future rural health workforce.

Some of the ways we are assist are: ‐ Accommodation ‐ Promote other local accommodation options for students ‐ Clinical supervisor support & training ‐ Work with local organisations to develop pathways in the health workforce ‐ Financial assistance through student support schemes ‐ Training in Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health ‐ Online Introduction to Rural Health Training

Team Members: Shepparton Campus:

 Keryn Bolte (Student Placement Manager)  Renee McCance (Education Support Co‐ordinator)  Cath Cosgrave (Research Fellow – Nursing and Allied Health Rural Workforce)  Ash Sloan (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)

Wangaratta Campus:

 Kirrian Steer (Education Co‐ordinator/Simulation Co‐ordinator)  Ben Flanigan (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)  Joelene Mitchell (Student Placement Project Officer)

Ballarat Campus:

 Trish Thorpe (Education Support Co‐ordinator)  Charmaine Swanson (Community Placement Co‐ordinator)

For more information, see our website: http://goingruralhealth.com.au/

ACCOMMODATION:

Rural health students have access to accommodation managed by health service partners. Please contact the health services directly for accommodation booking.

Alternative options:

St Arnaud: Motel St Arnaud – see www.motelstarnaud.com.au/

Donald: Donald Motor Lodge – see www.donald.org.au/where‐to‐stay/item/donald‐motor‐lodge

Charlton: Charlton Motel – see www.charltonmotel.com.au/

Birchip: Birchip Motel & Caravan Park – see www.caravanparkphotos.com.au/birchip/

Wycheproof: Mount Wycheproof Motor Inn – see www.arrahotels.com.au/mount‐wycheproof‐ motor‐inn

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EAST WIMMERA:

For more information on the region, and what it has to offer, please visit the web links below.

Tourist information: see www.wimmeramalleetourism.com.au/ and select the appropriate town.

More links have been provided in the relevant information sections above.

Should you have any further questions, queries or concerns about placement in the East Wimmera region, please don’t hesitate to contact the ‘Going Rural Health’ team on the following details: General enquiries:

Website: www.goingruralhealth.com.au

Phone: (03) 5823 4500

Email: going‐[email protected]

Specific enquiries:

Website: www.goingruralhealth.com.au

Phone: (03) 4301 6853

Email: [email protected]