In a new series for our website and quarterly newsletter, we are inviting contributions from others who share our commitment to health equity. From partners, practitioners, students and more, we want to hear and support many voices in the conversation about improving health outcomes for rural and regional communities across Australia. Our first contribution comes from Michelle Dang, a social work student who recently undertook a six-month placement through UCRH with Women Up North Housing.
I am a final year social work student undertaking my rural placement through the UCRH in Bundjalung (Lismore). I study my degree with Griffith University in the Gold Coast and have been able to fully relocate for my placement with Women Up North Housing (WUNH).
WUNH is a grassroots, non-profit domestic and family violence service supporting women and children to access and maintain safe, secure and affordable housing, providing support to the Lismore and surrounding area for over 30 years. It has been a privilege and honour to work alongside the women and pivotal in my personal and professional development.
WUNH is a proudly feminist, client-centred and trauma informed with deep respect for cultural sensitivity, empowerment and self-determination. Made up of a diverse team of extremely experienced women, I witnessed the authentic and effective practice of prioritising women’s voices and recognising the structural forces that shape their experiences of violence and marginalisation, a practice framework that is embedded at every layer of the organisation. This support is offered through comprehensive case management, personalised to each clients needs and goals and allows for the caseworkers to walk alongside the journey to create space for autonomy, choice and safety.
One of my highlights at WUNH has been to participate and help co facilitate in the Love Bites program. Love Bites is a school based initiative, delivered with a primary preventative lens. Delivered by passionate facilitators focusing on educating and working with young people to speak about respectful relationships, consent and what violence can look like. Love Bites speaks to WUNH’s broader vision, to prevent violence before it starts, through education, empowerment and systematic change.
One of the most formative aspects of my placement experience has been participating in the weekly Multidisciplinary Education Program (MEP) sessions coordinated by Frances Barraclough. These Wednesday gatherings have introduced a level of collaborative learning I have never experienced before. MEP sessions bring together students across allied health disciplines from social work to physiotherapy, speech pathology to medicine/pharmacy to engage in dialogue, skill-building, and case-based learning, grounded in real experiences. Frances’ passion for integrated, person-centred care is unmistakable, and it radiates throughout these sessions. Under her guidance, we not only learn about each other’s roles and scopes of practice, but begin to understand how to communicate across those differences and build shared care strategies. One particular session stands out: I brought a de-identified client case from WUNH, and the group offered thoughtful, trauma-informed suggestions that I later discussed with my supervisor. That experience crystallised the value of team-based care: we each hold a piece of the puzzle, and when we come together, we can see a fuller picture.
“During this placement I have been constantly reminded that learning extends far beyond the lecture hall. It is alive in the people we work with, the communities we serve, and the relationships we build.”
From the moment I arrived in the Northern Rivers, I have felt both the deep history of this land and the generosity of those who care for Bundjalung Country, with all its complexity and strength, has been a teacher in its own right. Being supported on this journey at WUNH and UCRH I have gained far more than hours to my degree. It has sparked a newfound love and appreciation for rural practice, immersing me into a community marked by resilience and with each community member sharing an unlimited resource of time, knowledge and care. Where each contribution makes a tangible difference and connection becomes lifelong.
To study, work and walk on the beautiful Bundjalung country has been an immense privilege, encouraging me to listen deeply, reflect honestly and act with intention. As I move into the next chapter of my professional life, I carry with me the lessons of this land, community and placement.
Michelle is pictured above with the WUNH team at the launch breakfast for the second phase of their sexual violence training program.
