Answering a Rural Call
Written by Edmund Coleman for the Gunnawarra Times
May 26, 2025
DR Ned Chalmers moved from Warrnambool at the beginning of the year and says he is well settled and loving the town.
Dr Chalmers is working at Kerang Medical Clinic, owned and operated by Kerang District Health.
Growing up in Wedderburn, Dr Chalmers said the importance of addressing disparate health outcomes in rural communities stuck with him from an early age. “Small towns can be very polarising places; you’ve got people who are very well off and then you’ve also got a lot of people who are really struggling with their health – both mental and physical,” Dr Chalmers said. “Growing up and experiencing that firsthand, the impact that things like droughts have on farmers, families who have housing instability, really shaped the focus of my career.
“Seeing there was that need and knowing I could do something meaningful with my career by working in the country.”
Dr Chalmers was full of praise for the team environment at Kerang District Health. “Oh, it’s great – really positive, very supportive. I think the best work culture I’ve been a part of, having worked in hospitals pretty much everywhere,” Dr Chalmers said. “The reception staff, the nursing staff, everyone is just lovely. “We have a really, really good chief executive, Kellie (Byron-Gray) – she’s fantastic, so impressive, and I can’t speak more highly of her. “Kellie’s got a clinical background as well, which as a clinician it’s awesome having someone who knows what it’s like having walked in your shoes, so to speak.”
Along with being chief executive of Kerang District Health, Ms Byron-Gray is also chair of Connecting the Docs, a program which partners local health services to aid doctors transitioning into rural roles. The initiative offers tailored career pathways, relocation support, and assistance navigating the healthcare system. The unique program has played a pivotal role in attracting and retaining many doctors in the Loddon Malleeregion, including Dr Chalmers.
“When I was applying for Kerang, Iwanted to do some Emergency Department (ED) work,” Dr Chalmers said. “Connecting the Docs were really,really helpful in getting me some locum work at Bendigo ED which greatlyhelped my practice in Kerang because we do a lot of emergency work there aswell. “They also do a lot of networking, so I’ve met a lot of my colleagues in Swan Hill and people to talk to about different things like continuing professional development.”
Dr Chalmers has become involved with Wandella Football Netball Cluband spoke glowingly of Kerang. “I love Kerang, it’s a really vibrant town – really lovely approachable people, just really nice,” Dr Chalmers said. “Really lovely pubs, cafes, good kayaking spots, it’s just a great place to live, and the right size for me.”
