Opening of FURCS building in Mt Gambier

The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, officially opened the Flinders University Building in Mount Gambier on Monday 4 June 2007.

Staff of the GGT UDRH at the opening of the new Mt Gambier building

The purpose built complex at 24 Vivienne Avenue houses the University’s Rural Clinical School and the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health (GGT UDRH).

A major advantage of the building is its close proximity to Mount Gambier Hospital allowing easy access to state of the art clinical teaching areas
and clinical skills laboratory for medical students, junior doctors, nursing and allied health students working at the hospital and nearby clinics.

Flinders University Rural Clinical School delivers an innovative medical education program for third year graduate entry medical students and has
established the first intern program in rural South Australia.

Rear view of the new FURCS building in the grounds of the Mt Gambier Hospital

Greater Health runs an integrated program of research, education and training in rural health for the Greater Green Triangle region. The research program focuses on diabetes prevention and mental health issues. The Department also runs a successful program supporting medical, nursing,
pharmacy, dentistry and allied health students undertaking clinical placements in the GGT region.

The new Dean of Medicine at Flinders University, Professor Paul Worley said “This building represents a commitment by Flinders University for
a long term partnership with the region and government to provide a sustainable and high quality rural health workforce.”

The building is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and through the generous provision of land by Country Health
SA.

The front entrance of the new FURCS building

The completion of the building is a culmination of three years of work. The honourable guests speaking at the opening ceremony include the Vice
Chancellor of Flinders University, Professor Anne Edwards; Dean of Medicine, Professor Paul Worley; Director of the GGT UDRH, Professor James
Dunbar; Acting Co- Director of Flinders University Rural Clinical School, Dr Lucie Walters; medical student, Mr Antony McNamara, and Ms Helen
Chalmers from Country Health SA.

Read the report of the opening as published in the Border Watch on Tuesday 5 June 2007

Updated July 25, 2007

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