Discover what happens inside the University Centre for Rural Health Northern Rivers, meet the people behind our work and experience rural health education in action.
Taking place on
Tuesday 17 November 2026
9am to 1pm
University Centre for Rural Health Northern Rivers
Lismore Campus, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore
Free community event
For 25 years, we’ve worked alongside communities, students, health professionals and partner organisations to support better health outcomes across rural and regional Australia.
Now, we’re opening our doors.
Join us for the UCRH Community Open Day and discover the rural health education, research, training and partnerships happening right here in the Northern Rivers. Come for an hour or stay for the day as you explore our facilities, meet our team and take part in interactive activities for all ages.
Whether you’re curious about what happens inside UCRH, work in health or community services, are exploring future study, or simply want a different day out, you’re welcome.
Get hands-on
This is your chance to step inside spaces that are usually used by health students and professionals and see how practical, hands-on training helps prepare people for real healthcare settings. Throughout the day, you can:
- watch realistic birth and high-fidelity healthcare simulations
- learn basic life support
- visit the Teddy Bear Hospital
- see inside an ambulance
- explore the Corridor of Memories and learn about UCRH’s first 25 years
- meet staff, students and health professionals
- talk with our partner universities and community partners
You’ll even enjoy a free coffee and sausage sizzle!
A day for everyone
Whether you’re a local community member, a health or community services professional, a student, or someone considering a future career in health, there’s something for you at the UCRH Community Open Day.
Come along and explore our facilities, meet the people behind our work, and discover how rural health education and workforce development are supporting communities across the Northern Rivers. You’ll find a mix of short talks and guided tours, interactive demonstrations and drop-in activities, so you can explore at your own pace.
Bring the family, catch up with friends, ask questions, and experience hands-on activities designed for all ages. Whether you stay for an hour or spend the whole day with us, there’s plenty to see, do and discover.
Activities
All day activities include hands-on sessions with Clinical Educators and students giving you an insight into how difficult it can be to walk in someone else’s shoes. Take on a series of fun, interactive challenges that put your vision, hearing, movement, thinking and communication skills to the test. Explore how changes in health and function can affect everyday life, and discover how allied health professionals support people to participate in the activities that matter to them.
Other activities include:
- Birthing simulations using MamaAnne
- Basic life support skills
- Teddy Bear’s Hospital
- Coffee cart (free with registration)
- Lion’s Club barbeque (free with registration)
Guided tours of the Corridor of Memories exhibition at 9.15am, 10.15am, 11.15am and 12.15pm giving you a great chance to hear the stories behind the stories.
Short talks program:
- 9.00am What to expect on student placement with Rebekah Hermann and UCRH students
- 9.15am Speech Pathology: more than just speech with Sally Howard and Speech Pathology students
- 9.30am Can a stay to hospital really be prevented? with Dr Jo Longman
- 9.45am WellMob: Supporting wellbeing, our way with Angela Sheridan
- 10.00am Occupational Therapy: Participation Matters with Sarah Crook and OT students
- 10.15am The Secret Lives of Social Workers with Peter Hawkins and Bella Durante
- 10.30am Why aren’t all mums getting the support they need to quit smoking? with Dr Larisa Barnes
- 10.45am Moving Without Knowing It with Lewis Grove and Physiotherapy students
- 11.00am Protein: how much do we really need with Nicola Buster
- 11.15am Learning from Country and community with Dr Marcelle Townsend-Cross
- 11.30am Food, nutrition and chronic pain with Professor Vicki Flood
- 11.45am Why experts need to stop talking so much with UCRH indigenous health researchers
- 12.00pm Bringing rural communities into health research with Eduardo de Silva Alves
- 12.15pm Am I at risk of developing dementia? With Cris Leyton
- 12.30pm Being an ally: Actions speak louder than words with Dr Marcelle Townsend-Cross
- 12.45pm Tomorrow’s health workforce starts here with Frances Barraclough
Participating community partners
Explore the work of our educational and community partners, discover local services and programs, and chat with the people helping to support health, wellbeing and community life across the Northern Rivers. Come and speak with:
- University of Sydney Medical School
- University of Wollongong Medical School
- Western Sydney University Medical School
- Clarence Valley Regional Training Hub
- Northern NSW Regional Training Hub
- Northern NSW Local Health District
- Optimum
- Breast Screen NSW
- Women’s Health Northern Rivers
- Neuromoves
- Australian Breastfeeding Association
- Daffodil Centre
