Derby
Derby is near the mighty Fitzroy River and surrounded by vast tidal mud flats. It is the gateway to northern Australia's gorges and islands, meaning you can choose an adventure in any direction. The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley's population is comprised of more than 50 per cent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across 54 communities.
RCSWA Derby is one of the most established sites in the school, opening in 2005. The RCSWA office is located near the Derby Aboriginal Health Services and is a short distance from the hospital. Students enjoy cool study spaces, a common room, kitchenette, and 24/7 access.
Street address: 92 Ashley Street, Derby
Postal address: RCSWA Derby, PO Box 1205, DERBY WA 6728
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Accommodation
The RCSWA house is a modern, open-plan and fully furnished 4x2 house that is 5-10 minutes from work and shopping. The house has wide verandas that overlook the Derby marsh, providing a perfect vantage point to watch spectacular sunrises. Wireless internet is provided.
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Transport
Students who come to Derby should bring their own vehicles. Many of the local attractions are accessible only in the dry season, and most only by 4WD. If students have a 4WD, that is great, but if not, they can borrow the RCSWA 4WD for weekend excursions. Derby is a great place to ride a push bike, however, this has its limitations in the wet season and should not be relied upon after dark.
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Health ServicesDerby has two main health providers, WA Country Health Service and Derby Aboriginal Health Service (DAHS). There are no private GP practices in the town.
Derby Hospital has an emergency department, an adult ward, a children’s ward, and birthing suite, which are staffed by District Medical Officers and rotating junior doctors. A general physician, O&G, general surgeon, paediatrician, developmental paediatrician, and psychiatrist visit regularly from Broome, while other specialists visit from Perth or further afield. There is an allied health team based at the hospital.
DAHS has a walk-in clinic for acute medicine and clinics for antenatal care, child and adolescent health, and sexual health. The service employs GPs, nurses, an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, and hosts visiting allied health professionals. There is a Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service Office based in Derby, and a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Unit embedded in DAHS. Students will have a rich and diverse medical experience in Derby. -
Extra Activities
Derby is a mecca for outdoor living: camping, fishing, boating and 4WDing are the things you will find most people doing when they aren’t busy working. Each year a mountain biking event called “The Gibb Challenge” leaves from Derby. Teams or soloists ride from Derby to El Questro along the Gibb River Road.
In town, Derby has a library, public swimming pool, sporting fields, a horse racing track, a speedway, and historic jetty. Past RCSWA students have taken advantage of these facilities, playing AFL, volleyball, netball, basketball, golf, and lawn bowls, to name a few.
Each year during the dry season, Derby has a Boab Festival which includes events such as the Kimberley Art and Photographic Awards, the Boab Festival Basketball Carnival, the Mowanjum Festival, the Long Table Dinner, the Bush Poet’s Breakfast, film nights, quiz nights, and the Derby Cup Races.
Floods, bushfires, gorges, fishing, crocodiles, mangoes and mozzies: Derby RCSWA is a dynamic and engaging small site. It will suit students who are flexible and adventurous, and who have an interest in Aboriginal Health. Susannah Warwick
Lead Medical Coordinator
Staff Profiles
Lead Medical Coordinator , Derby
Susannah Warwick
Susannah is a Co-Deputy Director of RCSWA, Sub Dean of Student Affairs and the lead Medical Coordinator in Derby. She coordinates medical student training in Derby, teaches Derby students and supports student wellbeing. When she isn't with her students, Susannah can be found at Derby Aboriginal Health Service working as a GP (she also happens to be the WA Rural GP of the Year 2025). She is very happy to call Derby home now after stints in Canada and Queensland.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love living in a small rural community, working with three universities, working in medical education and the collegiality of the RCSWA.
academic services officer, derby
Lyndsey Hamilton
A general and psychiatric nurse, Lyndsey provides administrative and pastoral support for students. Prior to moving to Derby in 2025, she worked as the NT Health Medical Education Officer at Alice Springs Hospital for Interns and PGY2s in the pre-vocational training program. Lyndsey has also supported international medical graduates to integrate into the Australian health system, and coordinated the John Flynn Scholarship Program placing students in very remote locations in central and northern NT.
What I love about the RCSWA
It’s great to support the medical students with their professional and personal development. I love living and working in a rural setting and hope the exposure to this lifestyle will inspire students to return as our future workforce.
Derby has this special vibe that you have to see to love it. The community is lovely and welcoming, and for a small town it has a lot of energy.SinKaan Chan,
Medical Coordinator
Out and about
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