General News
26 August, 2025
Students experience local health careers
Students from Maryborough Education Centre (MEC) and Highview College explored allied health careers in a ‘Come and Try Day’ last Wednesday.
Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) and Goldfields Local Learning & Employment Network (Goldfields LLEN) joined forces with local schools to deliver a day of hands-on immersion at Maryborough’s hospital.
Year nine and 10 students spent a half-day taking part in practical workshops across a range of allied health fields including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, speech therapy, dietetics and occupational therapy while being able to speak with local clinicians.
Goldfields LLEN executive officer Dave Burton said the day, running for the second time locally, continued to highlight local career pathways in the health industry.
“It’s inspiring to see local health services, education providers and industry professionals working together to create opportunities that can spark ambition and guide young people towards rewarding futures in allied health,” he said.
It’s an initiative that aims to keep local talent in the region, which MDHS allied health educator Maddy Jeffrey explained.
“We know that country kids who train locally are much more likely to return to rural jobs,” she said.
“This program helps students see what’s possible in building a meaningful career right here in their own community, and that benefits everyone.”
Student Louella Roche said she wanted to be a physio but hadn’t decided.
“I really enjoy improving my health and I enjoy anything about the body and being able to help other people,” she said.
“But I’m too squeamish to be a doctor.”
There are 27 allied health professions recognised in Victoria, many less visible than traditional roles like nursing or medicine, which students like Louella were exposed to.
“It’s set my mind … I’m more passionate about coming here,” she said.
MDHS speech pathologist Meagan O’Halloran found that many students from last year’s event returned for their year 10 work experience.
“It can be a difficult age range to engage … but they’ve actually been really great,” she said.
They’re all steps toward building a sustainable regional workforce by encouraging students to stay or return to regional areas.
“This day is one of the avenues for trying to help younger people in our community understand the opportunities and jobs in this area,” Ms O’Halloran said.
Among the many benefits of the day MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said it helps build community connection.
“Any chance we can be doing that then that’s what we’ll do,” she said.
