- Fluoro
- Posts
- September 2025
September 2025
The time has come to LOCK IN. Huge chookas to every single one of us for the coming month. Even us fifth years have one last cheeky lil exam. It’s also spring finally! So get out, enjoy the sunshine, and don’t forget to smell the roses. This is possibly the last fluoro from our current CHARMS lineup, so read on for updates on how you can be a part of the next team!
the moment (you’re about to nail this)
It’s important during this time to take care of ourselves. The pretty graphic below (collab with the Wellbeing Committee) might not be relevant for you process wise at this time, but take from it the message that you need to have some time off. My recommendation would be doing an activity without your phone or that completely absorbs you, so that you don’t even accidentally think about study. If you need a full reset, check the status of your basics; sleep, nutrition, movement. And don’t feel ashamed to ask for help.
We are so happy to share the following discount code! Lots of us are eMedici converts, just don’t ask us how to pronounce it. Now is a great time to either sign up with a discount or ask a mate who’s already subscribed for a free month. You can set up targeted question banks, do mock exams, and probably most valuably set up osce stations on a circuit with mates. Don’t sleep on their case studies too. If you’re a bit of a genius and beyond needing just MCQ’s, you can also write questions for $$. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s Australian based with references for every q. We recognise that the downside is the prohibitive cost, so use these discounts and remind the staff what a great resource it is when they ask for external resources to support!
Otherwise ask a mate for a free month! If you’re shy my referral code is https://app.emedici.com/refer/1KGQO1zh
Yearbook
YEAR 5 make sure to get those profiles and piccies in!
And YEAR 4, if any of you are interested in leading the yearbook working group get in touch (with Heidi) so that you can start to see our process in advance.
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🧡
Hey team!
As we enter the last month of this year’s CHARMS committee, I just want to say a massive thank you.
To the entire CHARMS committee, you’ve been absolute legends. From late night planning to last minute fixes, you’ve carried CHARMS through an epic year.
To all student members of CHARMS, whether you filled out a survey, flicked me a message, or raised an issue in passing, you’ve helped shape CHARMS into the advocacy machine it is today. Every little bit has counted, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished this year!
Our AGM is happening online on Thursday, 16th October at 6pm to elect our 2026 CHARMS Committee. We have shifted the date so that 4th years can join after their OSCE (exam stress by day, AGM energy by night 😋).
This year’s AGM isn’t just about electing the 2026 committee, we will also be giving a full breakdown of the year: what we achieved, what we learned, and where we’re heading next. Think of it as the CHARMS 2025 blooper reel meets highlights package (I’m sure I can think of something spicy to tell you all to keep the evening entertaining - we will keep it out of the minutes 😉).
Why get involved with CHARMS for next year?
1. Shape the student experience at CSU’s School of Rural Medicine.
2. Build skills that actually matter (and look good on a CV).
3. Work alongside passionate, slightly sleep-deprived but very fun humans.
4. And let’s be real, it’s the best way to make sure CHARMS keeps doing the things you want to see.
We’ve built momentum this year, and now it’s time to hand the torch to the next crew of CHARMS legends. So come along, hear the breakdown, and maybe even run! Worst case, you log off knowing what we’ve been up to… best case, you’ll be leading the way in 2026 with a new awesome gang!
One thing I’d like to share with you all, and that I have learnt as your President this year is that our voice is powerful when it speaks together. As Australian medical students, it is your right AND privilege to advocate on matters that affect you or the people around you. Don’t be silenced, and never let anyone make you feel like your voice does not belong in the room. We are all here with the same goal: to become amazing, smart, and compassionate doctors for our patients. Together, let’s continue to stand up, push for a school where medicine is accessible to all who wish to study it, and work towards making our school a leading medical school in Australia.
Again, thank you all so much for the support throughout the year! I will see you at the AGM 🤍
Yours in coffee (oh my lord let’s be real, I’ve moved onto the gin and tonics at this point in the year) and burnout,
Jacques Fletcher-Cauchi
MDIII, Outgoing CHARMS President
✨ AGM ✨
Did you know that being a part of CHARMS is actually really fun and rewarding?! Get your EOIs in for roles now, and then join the AGM for voting, to present a fresh idea, or to just watch the action. You can find more about the current roles in the Roles and Responsibilities Document, but the best way to get involved is to speak to people currently on the committee. You can find these details on earlier socials posts 🙂
Members interested in nominating for a committee role are encouraged to do so using the nomination form here: 👉 https://forms.gle/oT7u5npfe2g11Yjx9
🧡 AMSA 🧡
AMSA are always doing advocacy work in the background, on top of creating the most amazing events and opportunities for med students year round. Check out their latest socials for a snapshot into some of the media hype they’ve been helping to build around us missing out on paid placement.
AMSA also have an event coming up for all of those flung out across the continent! A Fun Run that ties in with your local parkrun. Check out the facebook event or register here.
Opportunities
NRHSN Exec callouts
Join the National Rural Health Student Network team! A National body that manages the rural health clubs and advocates for rural health students
More info here, video applications close Sept 29th 5pm
Rural Health Positive AGM
Do you have a passion for rural health? 🌾Rural Health Positive is holding its Annual General Meeting on 29 September at 8:00 pm via Zoom. We’re opening all executive positions to new nominees, this is your chance to get involved!
Register your interest by following this link: https://forms.gle/JzyKbxFAJxxRbo9j6
Zoom link: https://charlessturt.zoom.us/j/67825729575
NAIDOC Week Weaving
Join local artist Talara for a workshop exploring traditional weaving techniques.
Oct 25th at Orange Regional Museum
Find more info and book here
RMA 2025
in Boorloo (Perth) in October, sadly often tricky around our exam dates but the speaker lineup looks sick. Full program out now.
RANZCP PIF Psychiatry of Old Age Conference
Nov 12th-14th in Freo
Rural Health Positive Rural High School Visit Roadtrip
16th-20th Nov in the Central West
Visit schools to promote rural health clubs to high schoolers with a fun, multidisciplinary team from across the state. Accommodation, transport, and some meals + activities are covered!
Applications close Sept 30th and there will be competition for spots…
RANZCP Neuropsychiatry 2025 Conference
Nov 28th-30th in Sydney
RDN Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference
Nov 29th in Sydney, at The Hilton
$50 for non-cadets
Program TBC, check back here
Rural Health Positive AGM
Do you have a passion for rural health? 🌾Rural Health Positive is holding its Annual General Meeting on 29th September at 8:00 pm via Zoom. We’re opening all executive positions to new nominees, this is your chance to get involved!
Register your interest by following this link: https://forms.gle/JzyKbxFAJxxRbo9j6
Zoom link: https://charlessturt.zoom.us/j/67825729575
NAIDOC Week Weaving
Join local artist Talara for a workshop exploring traditional weaving techniques.
Oct 25th at Orange Regional Museum
Find more info and book here
RMA 2025
in Boorloo (Perth) in October, sadly often tricky around our exam dates but the speaker lineup looks sick. Full program out now.
RANZCP PIF Psychiatry of Old Age Conference
Nov 12th-14th in Freo
Rural Health Positive Rural High School Visit Roadtrip
16th-20th Nov in the Central West
Visit schools to promote rural health clubs to high schoolers with a fun, multidisciplinary team from across the state. Accommodation, transport, and some meals + activities are covered!
Applications close Sept 30th and there will be competition for spots…
RANZCP Neuropsychiatry 2025 Conference
Nov 28th-30th in Sydney
RDN Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference
Nov 29th in Sydney, at The Hilton
$50 for non-cadets
Program TBC, check back here
What’s On in Orange
Summer Hill CreekCare
Sunday October 26th 21st anniversary celebration!
Contact Cilla for more info [email protected]
East Orange Produce Market
Small market of assorted produce very Saturday Morning
148 McLachlan St (tucked in behind Bills Beans)
Orange Farmers Market
2nd Sat every month
Orange Showground Pavillion (check socials for updates though)
Recommendations
Trunkey Creek Bacon and Egg Rolls
Bodhi Garden Deep fried mushroom or sweet potato balls
Fourjay Farms Hazelnut Pancake mix
Orange Society of Model Engineers
2nd Sat every month
ride miniature trains through Matthew Park, Moulder St
More info here
Orange Wine Festival
Oct 17th - Nov 2nd
40+ different events, with more info to come keep checking here
🐣 First year first placement! 🐣
My community placement in West Wyalong (Riverina Clinical School) was a genuinely positive and inspiring experience. I felt welcomed from day dot, and it was clear how invested the GP is in both his patients and the town. Observing the long-standing relationships he and the practice have built, knowing patients and families across generations, understanding their stories, and tailoring care to individual circumstances gave me real insight into the privilege and responsibility of being a rural doctor. I was also struck by how keen they were to include me in consultations, explain their reasoning, and share their love for practising in West Wyalong. Their enthusiasm for teaching created an encouraging environment where I felt supported to ask questions and contribute. I now understand why so many doctors choose to work in rural communities and strengthened my own interest in developing those kinds of meaningful, ongoing connections with patients. Who knows Rural Generalism might just be the road for me!
guess the connection between these pictures
As the last week of August rolled around, year 1 came closer and closer to a time of simultaneous nerves and excitement; our first ever placement. For some, this would mean seeing their families and children, for others, it would mean staying in a palatial manor on the south coast and for a select few, it would mean seeing the famous Giant Murray Cod. I was lucky enough to go to Swan Hill for my placement, a place I’d never even heard of before starting medicine.
My 2 weeks on placement mainly consisted of sitting in with different GP’s in the Primary Health Clinic. One day, the doctor I was sitting in with was conducting skin checks and, tasked with a dermascope, I was given the opportunity to inspect different spots for myself. This proved harder than anticipated, meaning at one point I had to lie and say I did see the vascularisation of a BCC, a fib the doctor I was shadowing immediately saw through, but was kind enough to show me again and again, until it was eventually accepted I might not have a very promising career in dermatology.
Apart from the clinical side of placement, being able to meet the other medical students in Swan Hill was so incredible. From scrub cap making at Heidi’s house, to one of the best games of soccer of my life and a game of Articulate which became very competitive very quickly, I don’t think we could have been more welcomed by the community and the CSU staff and students than we were over those 2 weeks. Thank you to everyone who made this possible and to the Mallee clinical school staff and students who made this an experience we will never forget.
MALLEE IS #1!!!
