Rockhampton So Far

Rockhampton or 'Rocky' to the locals has been my home for well over a week now.

I'm staying with my Dad's sister Caroline and Hannah (20), Clare (18), Alex (15) and Douglas (11) -my gorgeous cousins.

The other couins in the clan are James (23) who lives in Mackay a few hours North of Rocky and Ben (26) lives across the road.



I arrived on Sunday 27th April in the morning after a change in Brisbane. The plane's getting smaller and smaller and more bumpy!

The 'Base'.

After getting settled I started in full swing at Rockhampton's hospital, known as 'The Base' to everyone there, early on Monday morning. I am working with a really lovely team and two outstanding graduate medical students from Oz (I thought they were already qualified for the first few days)!!

Hannah my cousin is a nursing student and on a Paed's rotation and my aunt is a midwife so its weird when I'm working with them and seeing them on the wards.

I'm helping with ward rounds, clinics and assisting in Paed's resuscitations at C-sections.

Its going to be a great refresher for when I start on my first job in Paediatrics in August.

I've seen some really interesting stuff here already, for example, classic HSP - Henoch-Schönlein purpura, childhood cancers, Haemophilia, neonatal problems, etc.
As well as some classic respiratory and skin conditions, childhood behavioural problems, diabetes, etc.

A Weekend of Hockey

My first weekend (May bank holiday - also a public holiday in Oz) we went up to a place called Mackay as Alex and Doug were in a hockey tournament there. It took about 4 hours to get there and this place is considered close! It was really nice to appreciate some of the scenery and get a real feel for Australia.

Met up with James my other cousin and his lovely girlfriend Emma (whose family are from Mackay, but she actually lives in Brisbane).


Between hockey matches we popped to a local beach, the picture opposite (sorry - its on its side) shows 'soldier crabs' which covered the beach and and burried into holes in the sand when you came close.

We also went to the harbour and watched some friends of Caroline's and Emma's Mum doing Dragon Boat racing for Breast Cancer survivors.

Really nice to be out in the sunshine - although I hear that the weather at home is just as nice at the moment!


Some brotherly bonding - How cute!






Miss you all - sorry no more news.

Am out this weekend 'on the town' so maybe more news will be generated then!

Lots of love

Lucy x x x