Lumen Winter 2013 - Flipbook - Page 10
story by Connie Dutton
Reaping the rewards
in regional Australia
For almost 140 years, University of Adelaide graduates
have made an impact not only across the world, but
just as importantly, at a local and community level.
I
n this edition, Lumen looks at the
contribution the University’s graduates
make in rural towns and communities
across Australia.
The relaxed country lifestyle is hard to
forego, and for these graduates, returning
to live and work in the rural setting in
which they grew up has seen them
contribute in many ways to the growth
and wellbeing of the towns as well as to
the advancement of the residents.
Doctors Martin and Fiona Altmann, who
run a family general practice in Murray
Bridge, have been making an impact in
their community for the past 20 years.
Their work was recognised in 2012, when
they were jointly awarded the Telstra
RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year Award.
“We both love the challenge and
rewards of working in a tight-knit
community and no doubt our terrific
undergraduate years at the University
8 Lumen | Winter 2013
of Adelaide set us up to then gain the
postgraduate experience we needed to
pursue our special interests,” Martin said.
“Although we are GPs, Fiona does a
lot of anaesthetics and I, obstetrics. We
are now delivering the next generation of
babies,” he said.
Martin and Fiona believe that the
biggest challenge facing rural towns is
equity of access to all services, especially
in health.
“There are a lot of studies that show an
early positive experience in rural medicine
increases the chance of medicos returning
to the country; we hope we can play a
part in the future that way,” Martin said.
Our graduates are contributing to a
bright future for regional, rural and remote
Australia in many ways. Read how their
innovation and determination are making
a difference and inspiring others across
the country.
Above: Doctors Martin
and Fiona Altmann
