Our AUS HEARTS team is getting bigger! We are pleased to introduce some of our team members in rural NSW.
Based at various locations in the West and Far West, they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge across research, healthcare, and what it means to live and work rurally.
Catherine is a research fellow and has been in the team since 2024. A born and raised Broken Hill local, she has spent time living in other rural areas including Wagga Wagga, Lismore and Dubbo.
Her favourite thing about living and working rurally is the red dirt, wide open spaces and the 3-minute commute to work!
Here is Catherine enjoying Thirsty Merc (home grown Western NSW talent from Dubbo!) at the 2023 Mundi Mundi Bash.
Anna is a Senior Research Officer and joined our team in August 2025. She first came to Orange in 2004 as newly minted clinical psychologist and, other than a stint back in Sydney and living in Bathurst for a few years, she has lived in Orange ever since.
Her love for rural life started during her 6-week clinical placement in Lismore, where she was won over by the sense of community and lifestyle. She appreciates the opportunities to make a real difference professionally in rural areas as well as being able to have a great work/life balance and being close to nature.
Tim is our Far West NSW Local Health District area Health Service engagement officer. He moved from the Golden Sands of Tasman (the top of New Zealand’s South Island) to Broken Hill just 4 months ago and joined the team in May 2026.
He has found that growing up and living in rural Taranaki, along with time spent in the wider Nelson Bays area of New Zealand has given him a wide understanding of the unique challenges that rural areas face. It also has allowed him and his family to become involved with local community across many areas.
Lastly, Katrina is our Western NSW Local Health District area Health Service engagement officer.
She’s been in Dubbo since 2022 working as a Dietitian and in Health promotion and joined our team in May 2026. She loves the sense of community in rural settings, especially in the Dubbo Demons AFL club and Dubbo Parkrun.
