Far West of Centre - Health in Outback NSW

Today we bring you a special edition to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, 50 Years Deadly. In the studio we are joined by Corina Kemp, Director of Aboriginal Health and Community Relations, and a panel of guests; Danielle Escreet, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jayde Flentjar, Aboriginal Health Practitioner, and William Briar, Aboriginal Health Practitioner Trainee. In this episode we discuss this year'...

The Far West Local Health District is very excited to launch Series 2 of Our Deadly Voices. This season we are once again joined by Melissa Calliss to host the season. We kick off this season joined by Danielle Escreet, Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Broken Hill Base Hospital.  Danielle generously shares her journey into Health and how she found her way into ophthalmo...

As we near the end of our season, we find ourselves at our final destination and most southern health facility in the Far West Local Health District, Balranald. The township of Balranald is nestled on the beautiful Murrumbidgee River, and is famously known as the gateway to the “Five Rivers” region, as the town sits just upstream from where the Murrumbidgee converges with the Murray River.   The B...

Today we continue our journey south to Buronga, thepicturesque border town famous for being the scenic gateway to the Sunraysia region.  Buronga is situated on the iconic Murray River offering sweeping riverfront views and provides the direct link into Victoria via the George Chaffey Bridge. Today in the studio we are joined by Tanya Stiles, HealthService Manager at Buronga HealthOne.  Tanya detai...

Moving further through the Far West Local Health District, today we have arrived at Wentworth.  The town of two rivers, where the Murray and Darling rivers meet.  Wentworth is most famous for the historic inland river port, riverboat history, and the old Wentworth Gaol which was built in 1879. Today we are joined by Tim O’Neill, Health Service Manager at Wentworth Health Service.  Tim is a longsta...

Join us for our special edition to celebrate and raise awareness of Reconciliation Week 2026.  This year’s theme is “All In”. Today we are joined in the studio by a panel of guests, Mark Dykgraaf, Chief Executive of the Far West Local Health District, Jamie Billing, Aboriginal Clinical Leader at the Broken Hill Hospital and Corina Kemp, Director of Aboriginal Health and Community Relations.  Hear...

As we continue our journey south, we find our way to Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe was founded in 1970 and is situated on the Cobb Highway, between the Lachlan and Darling rivers. Ivanhoe is famous for its rich history, including the Ivanhoe Dry Times Show, an event drawing enthusiasts for vintage trucks, tractors, cars and bikes. Today we welcome Brian Cho, Acting Health Service Manager at the Ivanhoe Health...

Today we continue our journey through the district sites ofthe Far West Local Health District where we find our way to Menindee, famous as the oldest European settlement on the Darling River, the last stop for ill-fated Burke and Wills, and the impressive Kinchega Woolshed.   Menindee is also renowned for its vast and beautiful Menindee Lakes, which attracts visitors for its beauty, fishing and bi...

Today we continue our journey south through the Far West Local Health District, this time landing in Wilcannia. Wilcannia, known as the "Queen City of the West," is situated 200 km east of Broken Hill on the Darling/Barka River. Famous for it's 19th-century architecture and paddle steamers, Wilcannia served as a major transport hub in the 1880s. In the 1880s and 90s, Wilcannia was th...

Today we continue our journey through the district sites of the Far West Local Health District where we find our way to White Cliffs, famous for being Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, located approximately 255 km northeast of Broken Hill.  The opal mining town is home to approximately 150 people but is surrounded by large grazing properties.   Today in the studio we meet Ashley Mortimer,...

Today we launch season 10 of the Far West of Centre – Health in Outback NSW podcast. This season we focus on our District Sites, commencing our journey in Tibooburra, before heading south through the Far West Local Health District. Tibooburra is located in the far northwest of New South Wales and is located approximately 50km from the Queensland border.  Famous for the gold rush in the 1880s, Tibo...

Today we are joined in the studio by Jamie Billing, Aboriginal Clinical Leader at the Far West Local Health District.  Jamie explains his reasons for pursuing a career in health, the study he undertook and the rewarding aspects of his career including his significant educational accomplishments. This episode concludes the Our Deadly Voices Season.  The Far West Local Health District would like to...

Today in the studio we are joined by Taylor Degoumois, Aboriginal Senior Clinician in the Violence Abuse and Neglect team.  Hear about Taylor’s journey into Health following her employment with the Department of Communities and Justice, and her passion to bring positive change and support vulnerable consumers. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episodewhere we showcase one of man...

Today in the studio we are joined by Rebecca Crawford, Cultural Community Engagement Manager, at the Far West Local Health District. Hear about Rebecca’s extensive career in Health, and what led Rebecca to move to Far West. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episode where we showcase one of many dedicated and driven Indigenous staff members in the Far West Local Health District....

Today in the studio we are joined by Claudia Martin-Files, Aboriginal Trainee in the Violence and Neglect Service. Hear about Claudia’s desire to help people, which has led her to study and build a career in Health, that enables her to give back to community, build connection, and create equality. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episode where we showcase one of many dedicated...

Today in the studio we are joined by Tish Reynolds, Manager of Aboriginal Workforce. Hear about Tish’s journey into Health and her ultimate dream for providing better supports and services for Aboriginal people. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episode where we showcase one of many dedicated and driven Indigenous staff members in the Far West Local Health District. Hosted by Re...

Today in the studio we are joined by Tracy Herlihy, Managerof Dietetics and Speech Pathology for the Far West Local Health District.   Today Tracy talks about growth, food fussiness, the importance of a healthy balanced diet, and how we talk about food and body image with young people.   Tracy also touches on the unique issue of lead in Broken Hill and how a healthy and iron rich diet can assist i...

Today we are joined in the studio by Lisa Testa, a DentalTherapist for the Far West Local Health District, with almost 40 years of experience. In today’s episode, Lisa highlights the importance of regular check-ups from an early age, what to look out for, and helping parents and care givers with tips and hints for looking after your child’s teeth.   Lisa explains the importance of regular brushing...

Today we are joined by Charmaine Lowrie, an OccupationalTherapist for the Far West Local Health District.   Today Charmaine talks about milestones for healthy development, when should parents and carers start to worry and what does play look like in little people.   Charmaine explains development windows, the importance of play, and getting involved with your children to help them learn.   Hosted...

Today in the studio we meet Siobhan (Shiv) Pickard, a Paediatric Physiotherapist for the Far West Local Health District.   Shiv discusses the difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and why a child might be referred to a physiotherapist, key milestone and development windows for children, and when a parent or care giver should reach out to a physiotherapist.   Shiv talks about t...

Today in the studio we are joined by Tameka O’Donnell, Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse Coordinator. Hear about Tameka’s journey into Health where she details how her childhood paved the way for a career in paediatric nursing and the triumphs and challenges faced along the way. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episode where we showcase one of many dedicated and driven Indige...

Today in the studio we are joined by Ellen Niemiec, a SpeechPathologist in the Brighter Beginnings team, in the Far West Local Health District. Ellen discusses speech and development milestones in thefirst 2000 days, what parents should be looking for, the importance of talking to your little person and narrating everyday life, and the benefits of picture books and early literacy.  Ellen also disc...

We are pleased to bring you season 8, Growing our Little People. In this episode we discuss the Brighter Beginnings program which focuses on the first 2000 days of a young person’s life and ensuring little people receive their health checks prior to commencing kindergarten. Today we meet Emma Cullen, Project Officer for the Brighter Beginnings program in the Far West Local Health District.  Emma e...

The Far West of Centre podcast says goodbye to our host, Becky Smith. We would like to say thank you to Becky for hosting the program over the past two years. We wish Becky all the best in her future endeavours. Stay tuned for more updates and details of our new host will be coming soon.

Today in the studio we are joined by Craig Colling, Aboriginal Health Practitioner at Buronga HealthOne. Hear about Craig’s journey into Health where he details the life events and moments that shaped his career today, and the rewarding moments and challenges that keep Craig striving in a job to help his people. Join us on the first Friday of each month, for a new episode where we showcase one of...