Foundation extends satellite footprint with 31 new sites
July 7, 2008In a concerted push to grow its already extensive satellite footprint, the Rural Health Education Foundation has added 31 new receiving sites to its rural satellite network in the last year: eight each in Queensland and Victoria; seven in New South Wales; five in the Northern Territory; two in Tasmania; and one in Western Australia.
During the 2007/2008 financial year, the Foundation also performed major maintenance on 29 existing sites, relocated a further two, and reinstated three former sites (Casino in NSW, Biggendon in QLD, and Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory).
Program delivery as important as production
“Although much of the Foundation’s focus is on producing quality television programs, just as important is our determination to deliver those programs to as wide an audience as possible,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “By adding 31 new viewing sites in the last year, we have enabled hundreds more rural and remote health professionals to view our educational broadcasts on a regular basis.”
“And we’re particularly proud that, of the 31 news sites, 12 are in Indigenous communities.”
Satellite reach still crucial in the internet age
Mr Perlgut stressed the important role that satellite broadcasts continue to play in the Foundation’s program distribution strategy, despite the emergence of the internet as an alternative delivery mechanism.
“Broadband internet access is still rare for our viewers who live in the more remote areas,” he says. “So, although the percentage of our audience who opt to view our programs on DVD or the internet is growing, satellite broadcast is still very much the primary means of delivering Foundation programs to our constituents.”
Expansion made possible by generous support
Most of the new sites added to the Foundation’s network, which now boasts 660 locations Australia-wide, were funded through the generous support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
Subsidies available for new satellite sites
The Department of Health and Ageing has provided funds to subsidise the establishment of new Foundation satellite sites in areas of need during 2008/09. See our subsidies announcement for details.
If your organisation is interested in joining the Rural Health Education Foundation’s rural health satellite network, please contact the Foundation.
New viewing sites
The new Queensland sites are:
- Indigenous Well Being Centre, Barolin Street, Bundaberg.
- Central QLD Rural Division of General Practice, Biloela.
- Central QLD Rural Division of General Practice, Waterson House Building, Hospital Road, Emerald.
- Sherwood House Medical Practice, Rankin Street, Innisfail.
- Discovery Coast Community Health Services, Agnes Water Health Services Building, Miriamvale.
- Hope Vale Clinic, Via Cooktown, Hope Vale.
- Southern Cross Care (QLD), Mt Gravatt.
- Cunnamulla Primary Health Care Centre, Cunnamulla.
The new Victorian sites are:
- Goulburn Ovens TAFE, Seymour.
- Goulburn Ovens TAFE, Shepparton.
- Family Medical Centre, O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury.
- Cann Valley Bush Nursing Centre, Monaro Highway, Cann River.
- West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Rawson Community Health Centre, Lehmann Court, Rawson.
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Medical Service, Rumbalara Road, Mooroopna.
- Swan Hill Aboriginal Health Service, Nyah Road, Swan Hill.
- Swan Hill Hospital, Lecture Room, Swan Hill.
The new sites in New South Wales are:
- David Berry Hospital, Tannery Road, Berry.
- Riverland Division of General Practice, Berri.
- Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Services, Marius Street, Tamworth.
- Awabakal Aboriginal Medical Service, Samdon Street, Hamilton.
- Blayney Health Service, Blayney.
- Bawrunga Aboriginal Medical Service, Bowra Street, Nambucca Heads.
- Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community Health, Princes Highway, Narooma.
The new Northern Territory sites are:
- Malabam Health Board Aboriginal Corporation, Maningrida.
- Katherine West Health Board - Kalkarindji, Katherine.
- Katherine West Health Board - Lajamanu, Katherine.
- Borroloola Health Clinic, Garawa Road, Borroloola.
- Danila Dilba Health Service, Darwin.
The new Tasmanian sites are:
- Tasman Multi Purpose Service, Nubeena.
- George Town Hospital & Community Centre, George Town.
The new Western Australia site is:
- Warambie Health Centre, Warambie Road, Karratha.
A complete listing of the Foundation’s public sites can be found on our viewing sites page.