Making My Dreams A Reality
by Angela Liu
It was always my dream to do an internship or observation in the country. Picturesque views, quiet neighborhoods, friendly locals, and a diverse clientele. Swan Hill made my dream a reality.
Driving across the golden wheat plains and lush green fields, I made my way to Kerang to meet Osteopath Taylor. There, I walked into an afternoon with a fully booked schedule. What really amazed me was witnessing how Taylor treated every patient as an individual, worked together with them to achieve each of their unique goals, and the vast array of techniques he used to assist them with their aches and pains. At one point, he even was selling shoes, and I thought, "Wow, the osteopaths up in the Mallee can really do everything!"
In the evening, I was greeted by the friendly practitioners Jess and Megan at the Swan Hill main clinic, then escorted to the accommodation by the amiable osteopath Bayley, feeling excited for the days to come.
On day two, I went for an early morning walk with the inspirational Osteopath Louise Bibby, the owner of Central Mallee Health, where she showed me the Murray River and around town. As we walked, she talked to me about future career advice, her story as an osteopath, the multitude of networks she runs, and the struggles she faced along the way to get to where she is now. Feeling motivated and eager to witness the members of Central Mallee Health at work, I hopped between 6 practitioners at the clinic learning about cupping, acupuncture, force plates, exercise programs, and osteopathic manipulative treatment.
What I really loved was the diversity among the team, and although everyone has their different ways of communicating, consulting, and treating, there were key qualities everyone shared - their undeniable passion for their job, their willingness to work hard and chip in, and their eagerness to brighten up everyone's day.
Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any better, Uli, the exercise scientist, invited Lou and me for burgers with his partner, and on the drive back home in the middle of the night, Lou showed me the magnificent glowing giant Murray Cod, Arnold.
There was never a dull moment across the 3 days, even in the early mornings with Lou showing me how to do a proper U-turn the country way, then proceeding to drive me around town to buy croissants and toasties for breakfast.
For my final day, I drove to Boort with Taylor to witness another fully booked Outreach Osteo schedule, observing a diverse range of patients from kids to mothers to farmers and even learned how to look after a baby!
Before I knew it, the 3 days were over, but I wasn’t sad; instead, I was grateful for the hospitality shown by everyone in the Mallee, thankful for what I have learned up in the country, inspired by the passionate, motivating, and generous team at Central Mallee Health, and hopeful that I will be able to come back again to experience much more.
- Angela