Bunbury

The bustling port city of Bunbury boasts beautiful beaches, a working harbour and a vibrant CBD. Nestled between the scenic Ferguson Valley, the spectacular Indian Ocean and the bustling tourist attractions of the Geographe region, Bunbrury is the economic hub of the South West.

Bunbury RCSWA was launched in 2007 and is one of the largest sites in the school. The office is located on the local Edith Cowan University campus and within walking distance of the hospital. It is accessible to students 24/7, has several study spaces, internet access and an unlimited supply of biscuits.

Accommodation

Bunbury RCSWA has three houses in the suburb of College Grove. These houses are all within walking distance of each other and Bunbury Regional Hospital, with the RCSWA office a mere five-minute walk away. All three houses are four-bedroom, two-bathroom and fully furnished. All you need to bring is your own linen and towels.
Transport

Bunbury is well serviced by buses and taxis. The area is also very cycle friendly, with the hospital and RCSWA office having lockable bike areas.
Health Services

Bunbury's private and public hospitals are within Bunbury Regional Hospital. They share many facilities, including an emergency department. Suites for a radiology practice, pathology service and resident and visiting specialists are in the St John of God Medical Centre.

Bunbury Regional Hospital has 103 inpatient beds consisting of six wards – surgical, acute psychiatric unit, medical, maternity, paediatrics, and a high dependency unit.

There is a Primary Health Division offering services for inpatients and outpatients including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dieticians, incontinence and diabetes educators, speech therapy and social workers.

St John of God Health Care offers 145 beds, including for maternity, surgical, medical and palliative care purposes. This private facility also offers an allied health service with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and provides the community with oncology, renal and palliative care services.

Between the two facilities, there are 10 theatres, including day stay and endoscopy units.

Bunbury is serviced by more than 50 general practitioners across 13 general practices.
Extra Activities
RCSWA Bunbury students have previously been involved in mentoring, volunteering opportunities and various sporting pursuits. These have included mentoring and teaching high school students, joining local churches, singing in local choirs, coaching and assisting with local netball teams, volunteered with the Bunbury Soup Van and Southwest Womens Refuge Centre, and supporting local fundraising efforts. Students have also played AFL and AFLW in the South West Football League, soccer, hockey, netball and local sporting events like the Ninas triathlon and Busselton Jetty Swim.

Find out more about Bunbury, the diverse region and what it has to offer by visiting the following links:
- Visit Bunbury Geographe
- City of Bunbury – Arts Culture

Staff Profiles

Lead Medical Coordinator, Bunbury
Martin Gadd

Martin is responsible for coordinating penultimate teaching in Bunbury and specifically teaches the obstetrics and gynaecology component of the course. He has lived and worked in the South West for nearly 20 years and has been part of the RCSWA team since 2011.

What I love about the RCSWA
I enjoy the opportunity to teach a subject which I enjoy and to encourage students to consider a career in the country in the future.

Academic Services Officer, Bunbury
Emma Cooper

Emma helps students settle into their clinical exposure and into the Bunbury community to ensure they feel supported and make the most of their RCSWA year. She believes it is important students have a great community around them to encourage them to stay in the region for Final Year and the start of their medical careers. Emma has lived in Bunbury for more than a decade and started with the RCSWA in 2017.

What I love about the RCSWA
The team in Bunbury is so much fun to work with, we have one of the largest RCSWA sites in regards to staffing and students so there is always something happening.

Final Year Coordinator, Bunbury
Clare Trythall

Clare is an ED specialist and was first introduced to the RCSWA when she worked as a Medical Education Registrar at Bunbury Hospital. Clare coordinates the Final Year student program in Bunbury and leads ED teaching for this cohort. She also assists with the penultimate student group with ED and bedside teaching. She has lived in the region since 2016 and joined the RCSWA one year later.

What I love about the RCSWA
One of the greatest things is being able to have the students here as penultimates and return as final year students, and then come back as junior doctors. The small number of students gives us the chance to form great relationships with them, which I think helps their teaching and increases the enjoyment we all get from the program. We get to know the students on a personal level too, not just as medical students.