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- March 2025
March 2025
I’m not apologising for this but it’s time to get political (small apology for the jumpscare header gif). As a medical student you are engaging in a field and services that are intrinsically political. Your future employer is the government, your patients are taxpayers and policies are social determinants of health. Plus health access and doctor wages are a huge topic this year, as they should be! There is a lot of misinformation out there and it is important that you form an educated opinion, no matter how private or public you choose to make that opinion. At the time of writing this the election hasn’t been called, but the campaign promises have started.
To start with make sure that your enrolment is up to date and that you are aware of your electorate. If it’s not where you currently live consider updating it or find out how you can lodge a valid absent vote this year. Remember this may be different to your state electorate or previous processes.
When it comes to voting, a good place to start is researching your local candidates and reading their positions on the issues important to you (when they’re released). A great place to start is doing your vote compass (old edition); it can help you to work out which parties your values align with but can also force you to research some of the topics you’re still unsure on. If unsure you should also brush up on your understanding of preferential voting so that you can make your vote count! We could also be looking at a hung parliament this year, do you know what that means?
This is of particular importance if you’ll be voting for the seat of Calare.
3 horse race?
A couple of extra articles to check out too:
PS: working elections is an easy job around study if you’re interested, you have to remain politically neutral but it’s very rewarding.
As always we are after contributions, including anything from research updates to movie recommendations. If you’re really keen and interested in joining fluoro as an editor (would love someone on the ground in Orange) please email [email protected] 😚
🧡 Hot off the Pres🧡
Good luck to all our Year 2 students as you embark on your placements! This is an exciting step in your medical journey, and we hope you make the most of every opportunity to learn, grow, and experience clinical medicine firsthand. Enjoy your time on placement and remember that your peers and CHARMS are here to support you along the way.
The AMC accreditation process is well underway, with students from all regions providing valuable insight into the incredible program we’re part of. This has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strengths of our medical school, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Everyone’s input is shaping the future of our course, so thank you for your time and effort!
We have some exciting events coming up, including our first Wellbeing Week for 2025, designed to give preclinical students a chance to reset and recharge. We’re also teaming up with RACGP for a Trivia Night, so stay tuned for updates on both events, you won’t want to miss them!
For our clinical year students, your Clinical School Representative Officers will be having their first SODA meeting in under a month! This is your chance to provide feedback on what’s working well in your clinical school and what improvements you’d like to see. SORM and CHARMS have organised bimonthly meetings to ensure student concerns are addressed, with the potential for monthly meetings if AMC accreditation approves our separation from WSU. These SODA meetings are all about making sure our students are well supported, so if you have any questions or concerns, now is the time to raise them. We’re here to listen and advocate for you!
As always, keep an eye on our socials for event details and updates. Wishing everyone a fantastic March!
Plus a handful of announcements!
We have two new CHARMS team mates, tapping in for Harvey Lew who had been filling the role. Please welcome Jen McClarty and Katelyn Martin as Indigenous Officers! 👏
Vampire Cup starts soon, start saving up that blood 🩸 (you have time for one last plasma donation before the drive though 👀 )
Shoutout to the team involved in Yarn Up! last week, it was a pleasure to contribute to the social events! 🎾
Check out the newest reps below 👇️
Committees filled!
*very very meaningful*
Just quickly, here’s a little update on who’s who in the zoo when it comes to committee representation. Speak to them if you want something raised and keep an ear out for when they ask for your feedback. It makes their job HEAPS easier if they can get an idea of the different opinions out there. Huge thanks to everyone taking this on!
Indigenous Curriculum: Miki Budda-Deen and Cameron Martin
Curriculum, Learning and Teaching: Claire COlton and Cameron Martin
Student Wellbeing: Achira Perera and Kaitlyn Haran
AMC Accreditation Working Group: Harvey Lew
Evaluation: Johanon (Jen) McClarty and Harvey Lew
Research: Amanda Wright and Katie Long
Preclinical SODA (Student Officer, Dean, and Associate Dean - replaces DDD): Boston McLeod, Rand Alsaoor, Sarah Partland, Annie Watkins
RCS Reps (Clinical SODA 🥤)
Mallee: Aryan Sharma
Central Tablelands: Dylan Byrne
Murray: KJ Sandhu
Riverina: Sophie Lotz
Murrumbidgee: Georgia Goodhew
Central West, Orange: Nick Ruthenberg
Central West, Parkes: Jess Payne-Burnett
Northern Rivers: Phoebe Parodi
Hastings Macleay: Kel Grady
🧛 Vampire Cup
The AMSA Vampire Cup is on again this year, and it’s nearly time for us to get involved. This is a nationwide blood donation competition between med schools, where we earn points for every donation, running from the beginning of April to the end of May.
Here’s how it works:
• Whole blood donation = 3 points
• Plasma or platelet donation = 1 point (because you can donate more often)
Just book a donation, register with the ‘Charles Sturt University Doctors of Medicine’ team, and it’ll count towards our total (you might need to check this even if you’ve donated in the past). Despite our small cohort size, the more we donate, the more we can prove our worth, and more importantly, helping those in need.
🧡 AMSA
Hopefully you met the AMSA team on Market Day! If not, here are some things to check out:
Make sure you’re part of the CSUxAMSA facebook group to get announcements
AMSA Think Tanks kick off on March 27th
Careers Conference is on again, this year in Melbourne April 26th-27th
Save those pennies for National Convention, we’ll be organising a CSU team to attend/party in Sydney (more below ⬇️ ⬇️ )
Global Health Conference is on in nipaluna this year
Rural Health Summit is fast approaching, April 11th in Perth!
AMSA Rural Health are looking for committee members, applications close 17th March
AMSA continually want policy contributors. A big part of their role is reviewing and improving old/outdated legislation, occurring 3 times a year and across all universities. This year during council 1 we are reviewing 4 topics, these include:
* Mental Health and Wellbeing
* Healthcare in Humanitarian Crises and Disaster Management
* Rural Health and the Medical Curriculum
* Unemployment and Health
Your involvement is essential to ensure CSU's voice is heard at the national level. If you are passionate about any of these topics please reach out (certificates will be given to those who volunteer, these are good evidence for portfolio 😉). Check out the below vid for more info too!
If you have any further questions on anything stated above, please feel free to fb message or email Will our AMSA Rep ([email protected]).
👯 Convention
Medical students, brace yourselves—the biggest and most anticipated event of the year is here! The AMSA Medical Convention is landing in Sydney, promising an unforgettable experience packed with innovation, networking, and inspiration.
Why You Can’t Miss It!
From 2nd to 6th July 2025, Sydney will transform into a hub for the brightest minds in medicine, bringing together medical students from across the country for an action-packed week of learning, connection, and fun. Whether it’s your first time attending or you're a seasoned convention goer, AMSA Convention is THE place to be.
What’s in Store?
✨ World-Class Speakers – Be inspired by leading clinicians, surgeons, researchers, and innovators shaping the future of healthcare.
🔥 Hands-On Clinical Workshops – Engage in hands on practical activities hosted throughout the event
🌏 Global Health & Advocacy – Engage in discussions about the biggest health challenges of our time and learn how you can make an impact.
🤝 Career and Networking Opportunities – Connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and a variety of specialists who can help you carve your path in medicine.
🎉 Unforgettable Social Events – From legendary themed parties to unforgettable nights out, get ready to experience Sydney’s vibrant nightlife and celebrate with fellow medical students like never before.
Secure Your Spot! Tickets sell out FAST every year, so don’t miss your chance! Mark your calendars—tickets go on sale on the 4th of April. Be ready to grab yours early and secure your place at the most exciting medical event of the year.
Follow @amsaconvention on socials for the latest updates, and we’ll see you in Sydney! 🚀🏥🎉
Opportunities
I’m sure you can rego late or rock up on the day lol
Doctors for the Environment Australia
DEA are looking for interested university reps. If you’re keen message Heidi and we can tie it in with CHARMS. They have some resourcing available for events etc. or can help with grant applications.
Learn more here or on their facebook page
Vic Rural Health Conference - Wodonga
May 16th-18th
RWAV are often keen to sponsor student ambassadors to attend so check their website as it gets closer.
Other Scholarships
Don't forget to apply for this year's Charles Sturt scholarships!!
Or check out the RDN Database, or Ruralhealthpro database
Rh+
Remember to join our university and discipline wide rural health club or follow us for events and opportunities
Rainbow Festival returns this year! Running across 19th-23rd March with a bunch of events, info here.
If you’re doing your research project and need participants send in the deets to post here!
🌞 How was your elective?
A summer column where we post postcards from the 4th (omg 5th now) years post elective 🛩️ 🧑⚕️
Hello! I did my elective in England with my friends, and it was super fun. I did my program through Imperial College. I chose to do my rotation with the vascular team. Personally, I found this experience interesting, although I would recommend doing ED for a more holistic understanding of the NHS system. It was very intense as there was a lack of resource and staff were being constantly overworked. On a more positive note, being in England allowed me to travel to many locations in Europe, such as France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland! We would do most of these trips on the weekends and we were able to appreciate a variety of different cultures and delicious food! - Nab MDV
Guten Tag!! I completed my elective placement in Switzerland (Zurich) with the hand surgery team, and let me tell you, it was next level!! I organised it myself and got assistance with CSU Global for insurance. During my time there, I was able to assist in 5-hour graft repair surgeries to fix mobility in hands and remove foreign objects like glass from the arms. It was a wonderful range of Orthopaedics, Plastics and Trauma surgery, but definitely not for the faint of heart. In the hospital, I could easily speak to everyone in the healthcare team in English; however, having a bit of knowledge in the local language always helped. If you are thinking of doing a placement in Europe, you’ll never regret it (especially for the chocolate and skiing). For any assistance with placement overseas, give me a message! - Katelyn MDV
🚣♂️ Albury/Wagga RDN Trip
On Friday, February 28th, some of us RDN cadets gathered in Albury to kick off our weekend adventure. We started with a relaxing kayak down the Murray River, which was the perfect way to unwind. Later that night, we hit up the Albury nightlife to see what the town had to offer. Saturday started with a tour of Albury Hospital. We got to meet the Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) and doctors who are helping shape the next wave of interns. For those of us who didn’t stay out too late the night before, we even managed to squeeze in a parkrun before the hospital tour (I wasn’t one of those people, unfortunately).
Next, we made our way to Wagga, where we kicked things off with a cultural tour. It gave us some great insight into the rich history of the region. Saturday night was definitely a highlight - a great night of networking and drinks with ex cadets at the Riverine Club. I even ran into a couple of "swamp rats" from Forbes! After a late night of networking and a kebab to fuel the walk back home, Sunday morning came around way too fast. But we powered through with a tour of Wagga Hospital. Wagga did not disappoint! This whole weekend was an unforgettable experience and definitely one of the best highlights of med school so far. And if you ever find yourself in Wagga, make sure to check out Wagga Beach!
just another CSU cadet event takeover
📺️ This week’s recommendation
If you’re feeling brave dare to check out this half hour piece on what it’s like to work as a medic in frontline Ukraine. Some of these vollies aren’t medically trained, and they’re seeing and hearing harrowing stuff. A nice reminder of how lucky we have it here but also of how valuable our training is! (As well as the power of a well done lip)
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If you're interested in contributing for next month's edition get in touch with Heidi on facebook 💗
