“I feel so privileged to have spent time with Dr Opie and her family’” said Ms Prouse.

During her stay, Ms Prouse was lucky enough to experience the diversity of the role of a rural GP.

“I watched Dr Opie at work in the clinic, at the Hospital and in the Emergency Department.

“The other doctors and nurses also welcomed me and were happy to teach me new skills and explained their roles to me.”

Ms Prouse also witnessed the difference the medical staff made in this community, and how being a smaller community provided everyone with an opportunity to understand their patients.

“With Dr Opie having many on-call shifts at the Hospital during my visit, this provided me with some valuable experience including my first call to the Hospital in the middle of the night for an emergency.

“It was inspiring to see how local doctors are able to call on specialists in larger centres to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”

“I had the best time in Crookwell and, it was a tremendous opportunity to learn from so many wonderful people.”

Whilst Ms Prouse was staying in Crookwell Mr Opie took her to see a working potato farm where she was able to try the locally grown potatoes, saying, “They were delicious!”

“My time in Crookwell has definitely inspired me to keep working towards my goals, thank you.”