‘Healthy’ Rural Communities

RQF Group Leader: Dr Colin Boylan

RQF Group members:Dr Geoff Bamberry

Dr Colin BoylanDr Judith Crockett

Dr Basseer JeeawodyM/s Jenny Kent

Dr Branka Krivokapic-skokoDr Ingrid Muenstermann

Dr Peter O’MearaDr Angela Ragusa

August 2007

1. Name of Research Grouping: ‘Healthy’ Rural Communities

2. Home panel: Social Sciences and Politics

3. RFDC Codes: 3705 - 33%; 3704 - 33%; 3701 - 33%.SEO Codes: 7302 - 25%; 7503 - 40%; 7599 - 35%.

4. ‘Healthy’ Rural Communities Members

Name Level M/F FTE ECR RFCD Code

SEO Code

Dr Geoff Bamberry C M 1.0 No 3705 7501Dr Colin Boylan C M 0.6 No 3704 7403Dr Judith Crockett B F 1.0 Yes 3701 7503Dr Basseer Jeeawody C M 1.0 No 3702 7302M/s Jenny Kent C F 1.0 No 3701 7501Dr Branka Krivokapic-Skoko C F 1.0 Yes 3704 7503Dr Ingrid Muenstermann B F 1.0 Yes 3701 7503Dr Peter O’Meara D M 1.0 No 3702 7503Dr Angela Ragusa B F 1.0 Yes 3702 7503

5. Best Four (4) Researcher Outputs Minimum Best Two (2) for Early Career Researcher

Dr Geoff Bamberry(Institute for Land Water and Society)

Wickramasekera, R. & Bamberry, G. 2001. Australian wineries: Factors perceived to enhance or inhibit export market expansion. In Asia Pacific issues in International Business. Edited by S. J. Gray, S. L. McCaughey & W. R. Purcell. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

This chapter, which was one of 12 in the book, used data from a sample of 292 Australia-wide wineries, to outline findings on factors perceived by winery managers to assist or hinder the development of export markets in the Australian wine industry. As well as providing useful information for prospective wine exporters and government agencies engaged in assisting exporters, the chapter deals with significant theoretical issues on the internationalization process of interest to those in the field of International Business. The book is widely used as a reference for students in International Business at a number of universities. Eighteen entries in Google Scholar include 35 citations and several reviews of the book.

Wickramasekera, R. and Bamberry, G. (2003). Exploration of born globals/international new ventures: Some evidence from the Australian wine industry, Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 9, 2, pp.207-220.

This article discusses the concept of ‘born global’ firms, that is, firms that become involved in exporting within the first five years of their operation. The article has challenged current views and has contributed to the debate on the nature of the internationalization process. The article focuses on a significant regional industry in Australia, the wine industry, which now contributes over A$3 billion a year in export revenue. The AJRS is the research and theory-based journal of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International which links to the Regional Science Association International that extends its readership. Google Scholar indicates eight citations, and there have been numerous requests for the material from researchers and libraries around the world.

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 2

Wickramasekera, R. and Bamberry, G. (2003). An overview of a successful export industry from regional Australia, International Journal of Wine Marketing, 15, 3, pp15-27.

This article provides an overview of the export behaviour of Australian wineries based on their stage of internationalisation. As export behaviour is the focus of a major theoretical model in International Marketing, the article contributes to theoretical debate. The practical findings from the research include identifying the range of characteristics for successful exporting, including exporting at an early stage of the firm’s development. Implications for government policy in the areas of taxation of wine exports, and for export promotion agencies were identified. The IJWM is a key international journal in the field of wine marketing, with an editorial board comprising senior researchers from universities and wine marketing research centres in the UK, USA, France and Australia. It has a wide international readership in both the wine industry and in universities and research centres.

Bamberry, G. (2006). The influence of technology on regional development: Case studies from the Riverina Region, Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 12, 2, pp173-190.

The article, initially presented at the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International conference, is based on qualitative research involving interviews with manufacturing firms in the Riverina Region of NSW, and shows the impact of technology on the clustering of linked and networked industries fostering cumulative regional development. The findings have significance for cumulative regional development theory and practical application for regional development agencies and institutions. This led to further research into the use of technology in the wine industry, the development of networks in regional industries, and the development of telecommunications infrastructure in the Riverina Region. The first has involved collaboration with colleagues at QUT, the second with ILWS colleagues at CSU, and the third with the Riverina Regional Development Board.

Dr Colin Boylan(Key researcher –Centre for Rural Social Research)

Boylan, C. R. (2005). Training needs of rural school council members. Australian Educational Researcher. 32(2), August, 49-63.

This article is published on one of Australia’s leading educational research journals with an ISI Social Science Citation Index impact factor of 0.22. The article critically evaluated the differing structures and responsibilities of school council members found in various Australian states. The article then identified the lack of specific training programs for regional and rurally based school council members as a significant weakness in the effective functioning of a school council. This article builds on my earlier research which had involved international comparative analyses of school councils in Canada, USA and Australia. Based on this publication, the NSW Department of Education and Training sought input into their support strategy for school councils.

Boylan, C.R. (2002) Promoting vocational education and training in rural Australia. VOCAL. 4, 24-26.

This article appears the national journal focused on current issues and trends in the VET sector in Australia. The article identified the issues surrounding both provision and access to VET courses for senior secondary students in rural and remote communities in Australia. This article developed out of my long term association with the national rural education association in Australia, Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia both as an executive member 1990-2006, as editor of the journal Education in Rural Australia 1991-2000 and an conference convenor 2001.

Wallace, A.R. and Boylan, C.R. (2002) Outback education via satellite. The International Principal Newsletter. 7(1), 13-16.

This article appeared in the international journal which is edited from New Zealand. Based upon prior commissioned research (1999-2000) for the NSW DET which focussed on the evaluation of the educational impact of using a satellite delivery system to deliver primary education to children on remote NSW stations within a 300km

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 3

radius of Broken Hill, this paper identified the educational benefits for curriculum planners, teachers and the students and their families linked to this new form of technology.

Boylan, C.R. (2003) Reviewing rural teacher education: Preparing and supporting quality teachers in rural New South Wales. (Monograph). Charles Sturt University, Reprographics Unit: Wagga Wagga.

This monograph was produced as part of an ARC Linkages grant (2002-2004) with the University of New England and the NSW DET as partners. The monograph addressed three critical issues missing from the literature in rural pre-service teacher education: a) an analysis of the literature and its recommendations on the preparation of students for rural teacher appointments; b) a reconnaissance of the current state of rural pre-service education in NSW; and c) the development of the course design elements for a tertiary rural education subject. Two significant outcomes from this monograph were: a) only CSU in NSW (out of 11 universities) included a compulsory course in rural education for its pre-service education students; and, b) a comprehensive set of specifications for what inclusions need to be in a rural education subject were identified.

Dr Judith Crockett(Early Career Researcher - Commenced 2004Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health)

Crockett, J. (2004). ‘The nature of farm succession in three Australian communities’. Australian Farm Business Management Journal, 1(1), pp.14-27.

This paper is derived from Dr Crockett's doctoral research, a study of the traditional cornerstones of farming culture currently undergoing rapid change - family continuity of the farm, community involvement, religion and gender - and their ramifications for agricultural sustainability. A farmer herself, the study had its origins in the many difficulties she observed amongst farming families in NSW and South Australia in addressing decisions surrounding farm succession, difficulties that were, all to often, having a negative impact on the wellbeing of farm family members as individuals, on the family as a whole and on farm management.

Crockett, J., Taylor, S., Grabham, A,. and Stanford, P. (2006). ‘Patient outcomes following an intervention involving community pharmacists in the management of depression’. Australian Journal of Rural Health. 14(6), pp. 263-269.

Until the completion of the study upon which this paper is based, there had been little Australian research undertaken into the role of the rural community pharmacist in the treatment of depression, despite the latter being identified as a major rural health problem. Studies from the US, Canada and Europe indicated that the intervention of pharmacists trained specifically in skills to manage depression had been associated with an improvement in the safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and overall patient wellbeing. This paper is the first in a series of three highlighting the benefits for patients participating in this pilot project and makes recommendations supporting the increased role of pharmacists in the provision of holistic mental health care in rural communities.

Dr Basseer Jeeawody(Centre for Inland Health)

Jeeawody, B. (2004). Transcultural communication: Impacts of therapeutic self on professional practice. In J. Leigh & E. Loo (Eds.), Outer limits: A reader in communication and behaviour across cultures (pp.185-198). Melbourne: Language Australia.

“Transcultural communication: Impacts of therapeutic self on professional practice” is a chapter of a book with contributions from international authors with international readerships. It has been cited a number of times in the Google Scholar. This chapter addresses the importance of ‘therapeutic self’ with transcultural population. It

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 4

transpired the presentation of three papers at CPE conferences addressing the notion of ‘therapeutic self” in professional practice, and stimulated supervision of doctoral students in this area. Fundamental change in health professionals’ development is needed in regional communities, and a multifaceted approach utilising a ‘therapeutic self’ approach is necessary.

Siritarungsri, B., Francis, K., Jeeawody, B., Grootjans, J., Boontong, T. & Srisuphan, B. (2006). The development of nurse practitioners via flexible learning: Toward an innovative master degree program in Thailand. Contemporary Nurse, July, Vol 22, PP17-25.

“The development of nurse practitioners via flexible learning: Toward an innovative master degree program in Thailand”, from a PhD thesis, demonstrates an integrated strategy towards professional preparation of a transcultural group within the global arena. How a new cadre of health care leaders in the regional sector can be cultivated is demonstrated. In order to address the quality challenges in rural communities, one must adopt an integrated approach to addressing both personal and population health needs – a trans-disciplinary approach must be implemented. This research demonstrates a best practice model which is a blueprint for similar programs in developing countries.

Jeeawody, B. & Havelka, J. (2002). The Djirruwang National Indigenous Mental Health Pilot Project: Addressing promotion and prevention. Auseinetter, July, Issue 15, No.2.

“The Djirruwang National Indigenous Mental Health Pilot Project: Addressing promotion and prevention” presents a historical development of a unique program, which prepares Indigenous practitioners towards enhancing social and emotional wellbeing, and making a difference in rural communities. It transpired invitation to present the model at conferences and in media, and has been cited a number of times in Google Scholar. There are opportunities to redesign existing quality improvement strategies towards quality health care. Human resources are critical towards improving population health. One must enhance the human resource capacity of rural communities. The Djirruwang model sets a good example.

Jeeawody, B. (2006). Dangerous liaisons in interpretive research: shifting boundaries, in G. Whiteford (Ed), Voice, Identity and Reflexivity: Proceedings of the second RIPPLE Qualitative research as interpretive practice conference (pp58-70). Bathurst: Charles Sturt University.

One must establish a stronger quality improvement support structure to assist in acquiring knowledge and tools to improve quality in rural communities. “Dangerous liaisons in interpretive research: shifting boundaries” explores how boundaries can be shifted in interpretive research and create opportunities to developing best practice models. There is a need for critical analysis which should include reassigning, refining, and adapting some applications while also identifying new approaches tailored to rural communities. The interpretive research, liaison and boundaries are pervasive and researchers within the regional contexts must address them otherwise they potentially diminish the credibility of the research process.

M/s Jenny Kent(Key researcher -Centre for Rural Social Research)

Alston M. and Kent, J, 2006, The impact of drought on secondary education access in Australia’s rural and remote areas. A report to DEST and the Rural Education Program of FRRR.

This report, launched by the Minister for Education Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop, MP was the catalyst for a National Forum on Remote, Rural and Regional Education (funded through DEST’s Quality Outcomes Programme in support of the Government’s key objective of improved student learning outcomes in schools) which brought together government, education providers, rural education groups, researchers and others to progress towards a national advocacy voice and a national rural education strategy.

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 5

Alston, M. and Kent, J., 2004, Social Impacts of Drought: A report to NSW Agriculture and NSW Premier’s Department, Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt University.

This study, funded by the New South Wales Premier’s Department through NSW Agriculture continues to be cited in rural communities across Australia as a body of work which reflects the experience of people living in rural communities in times of drought. The research prompted widespread interest across Australia from Federal and State agencies as well as rural and community groups. Release of the report received extensive national media coverage and has resulted in numerous speaking engagements for the authors to present and discuss the findings.

Alston, M. and Kent, J., 2004, Coping with a Crisis: Human services in times of drought. Rural Society, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 214-227.

This paper provided further dissemination opportunities for previously funded research on drought-affected people and communities in inland Australia. The paper focused on the overloading and inadequate resourcing of the human services in the areas studied and provides insights into appropriate service models for rural communities in crisis.

Alston, M. and Kent, J., (2003). Education access for Australia’s rural young people: A case of social exclusion, Australian Journal of Education, 47(1), pp. 5 -17.

This paper emerged from research funded by Woolworths Ltd which focused on rural young people and their perceived employment opportunities and which was described as “one of the most relevant pieces of research regarding issues in our town that I have seen: (Economic Researcher, Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics). The research resulted in invitations to ministerial meetings in Canberra. This publication was also well received with unsolicited comments such as: “I think this is a timely article that concerns many in rural education” (Consultant in Language, Literacy and Rural Education).

Dr Branka Krivokapic-Skoko(Early career researcher - Commenced July 2002)

Krivokapic-Skoko, B. (2004) New Forms of Agricultural Co-operation: Key Features, Viability, and Prospects, Third Sector Review, 10 (2), 47-67

The article was published in a special issue of Third Sector Review on Co-operatives, Co-operation and the Social Economy. Third Sector Review is the scholarly publication of Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Research. ANZTSR is linked to The International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) and is involved in assisting the development of co-operatives and social enterprises in Asia/Pacific region. ISTR is a major international association promoting research and education in the fields of philanthropy, civil society and the non-profit sector. ISTR reflects the growing worldwide interest in Third Sector research and provides a permanent forum for international research.

Krivokapic-Skoko, B. (2006) Ethnicity and Entrepreneurship: Empirical Research on Ethnic Groups in New Zealand Agriculture. Andrejevic Endowment, Belgrade.

This book, based on my doctoral research, provided a systematic, holistic comparison of eleven ethnic groups which consistently played an important role in the history of New Zealand agriculture during the ninetieth and twentieth centuries. The extracts from the publisher’s editorial policy states that: “According to the well defined criteria of the Andrejevic Endowments chosen science works of eminent authors are published in the Special Edition”. In recommendations for publishing, two academics from New Zealand - stated that “the approach taken was innovative, insightful, detailed and persuasive” and that the book “combines thorough-going theoretical analysis with detailed substantive historical data”.

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 6

Skoko, H., Krivokapic-Skoko, B., Skare, M., & Ceric, A. (2006). ICT adoption policy of Australian and Croatian SMEs. Managing Global Transitions: International Research Journal, 4(1), 25-40. (Citation rate EconLit/IDEAS D-Base, abstract views 120, downloads 29)

This paper builds the model of information and communication technology adoption in Australian and Croatian SMEs. The authors used an innovation methodological approach (Boolean methods and Qualitative Comparative Analysis), to identify necessary and sufficient factors for ICT adoption. I wrote the method chapter, and outlined features of this new approach and justified its application to these empirical settings. The journal description suggests, Managing Global Transitions: International Research Journal, publishes “ground breaking work in management research”. The journal is indexed/abstracted in the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, and EconLit. Full texts are also included in the RePEc database.

Dr Ingrid Muenstermann(Early Career Researcher - Commenced July 2004)

Muenstermann, Ingrid (2001) Implementing Multiculturalism within the context of Australian society: South Australia's school for the German language. Intercultural Education (formerly European Journal of Intercultural Studies), 12:1, 93-107.

This Routledge publication, Intercultural Education, is a global forum for the analysis of issues dealing with education in plural societies. It provides educational professionals with the knowledge that assists them in contributing to the critical analysis and the implementation of intercultural education. Intercultural education is important in a multicultural society, such as Australia. This publications grew out of earlier research led to enquiries from two German universities (Hamburg and Bremen) on how the Australian education system caters for students of different ethnic background. It also demonstrates my interest into globalisation as well as regionalism: globalisation from the view of Australian multiculturalism and regionalism from the point of view of language teaching at an ethnic school.

Alston, M., Allan, J., Dietsch, E., Wilkinson, J.; Shankar, J., Osburn, L., Bell, K., Muenstermann, I., Giorgas, D., Moore, E., Jennett, C., Wallace, J. Bacchus, R., Quinn, H., Gibson, J., Harris, J., Gibson, R. and Grantley, J. (2006). Brutal neglect: Australian rural women’s access to health services, Rural and Remote Health. Vol. 6, pp. 475-480.

The article has been reviewed 1548 times since it appeared in Rural and Remote Health on 2006. It focussed on the problems of health care in rural and remote Australian locations. The study surveyed 820 women and revealed that the distribution of doctors in rural Australia and on primary care provisions, and that this care may result in a lack of attention to women’s health in areas such as maternity care, domestic violence and mental health. The study revealed some concern of Australian rural women at the poor state of health services. - Several women from different schools of thought at CSU were involved in this research and it was clearly identified problems in regional and rural Australia. My contribution to the paper was identifying problems to health care services of migrant women.

Associate Professor Dr Peter O’Meara(Centre for Inland Health)

O’Meara, P. 2003 Would a pre-hospital practitioner model improve patient care in rural Australia? Emergency Medicine Journal. 20: 199-203. ISI Impact Factor: 0.801

This article was published in an international journal in my disciplinary area that is well regarded throughout the world. It has been cited in 7 articles and reports in Australia, the United Kingdom and China. The article articulated a vision for the future of paramedic roles in rural and regional areas and has informed the development of the expanded scope of practice paramedic in Australia and elsewhere through commissioned research by the

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 7

Australasian Council of Ambulance Authorities Inc. and conference presentation in the United States and Australia. Canadian ambulance services have also expressed a strong interest in the conceptual framework.

O’Meara, P. Burley, M. & Kelly, H. 2002 Rural urgent care models: what are they made of? Australian Journal of Rural Health. 10: 45-51.

This article was published in Australia’s longest established rural health journal as a result of a major multidisciplinary research project that went on to develop a resource manual that is now assisting rural and regional communities to plan and implement their vision for their emergency medical services. The project described is an exemplar model of how to implement true community consultation in the rural and regional context. The article has been cited in four articles and reports.

O’Meara, P. Kendall, D. & Kendall, L. (2004). Working together for a sustainable urgent care system: a Case Study from South Eastern Australia. Rural and Remote Health 4 (on line), no 312.

The journal article was published in a highly respected international journal related to rural and remote health. The article describes the successful implementation of our (O’Meara, Burley and Kelly) community consultation and health planning process. This process has acted as a catalyst for a major change in the way ambulance services deal with local community consultation and change to the role of paramedics. This article led into further research into the role of rural and regional paramedics in four Australian states.

O’Meara, P. Chesters, J. & Han, G. (2004). Outside - Looking In: evaluating a community capacity building project. Rural Society. 14(2): 126-141.

 This article was published in our own (CSU) journal dealing with rural issues and has been cited in three other articles and reports in Australia. It reports on the sustainability factors that influence community building projects, in particular the important role that diversity and leadership play in community success. The article identified the limitations of a specific community building project in rural Victoria. These included the project's bureaucratic structure compared to alternate social models of organisation that reflect how people interact in a community.

Dr Angela Ragusa(Centre for Rural Social Research

Early Career Researcher – Commenced 2005)

Ragusa, A.T. (2005). Social change and the corporate construction of gay markets in The New York Times ’Advertising Business News. Media, Culture & Society, 27(5): 653-676.

My article exposing the New York Times' historical representation of non-heterosexuals in the media explores demographic change in how and who news media choose to represent and pursue as consumers and which social identities are put forth in business news. Stemming from social inequality theory and research, this work analyses advertisers' shift in perceptions and actions, from stigmatizing and slandering non-heterosexuals to heralding them as a homogenous market niche with high disposable income. By questioning the reality of past and existing stereotypes, it challenges stereotypes and the media's failure to acknowledge diversity of non-heterosexuals in terms of social class and wealth, race, gender, age, and parenting status.

Mark Journal Title ISSN Total CitesImpactFactor

Immediacy Index Articles

CitedHalf-life

CitingHalf-life

 

MEDIA CULT SOC 0163-4437 285 0.418 0.100 40 7.6 8.4 

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 8

Scott, J., Hunter, J., Hunter, V. & Ragusa, A.T. (2006). Sex outside the city: Sex work in rural and regional New South Wales. Rural Society, 16 (2): 151-167.

This article explored the value of "social outcasts" to rural communities. By researching the contribution those on society's fringes, particularly rural sex workers and those with non-dominant sexualities, bring to mainstream cultures, how definitions of "normalcy" and cultural norms change over time were examined. In the sex worker research, our aim was to destigmatise and legitimate sex work as an occupational choice women enter and to challenge its status in rural NSW as a "social problem". Without moral judgment, the research gave visibility to rural sex work and how it contributes to the socioeconomic health of rural Australian communities, often at personal and social cost to the workers which is hampered by inadequate structural conditions, such as legislation and support services, and compounded by geographical realities, such as rural isolation.

6. Context statement

Background and objectives

The ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping comprises members from the Institute for Land Water and Society (ILWS). One of the recognised strengths of the ILWS is its multi-disciplinary focus on research that affects regional, rural and remote Australia. The ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping reflects this multi-disciplinary membership of the ILWS with members drawn from three campuses (Orange, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga) and the four Faculties of the university (Arts, Business, Education and Science). Within Charles Sturt University, the ILWS is one of the four designated Centres of Excellence and was re-accredited with this highest level status in May 2007 for a further five year period. The University provides approximately $350,000 per annum to support the Institute, including base level operating funding, performance based funding (based on grants income and publications) and targeted funding to support particular initiatives. Funding for PhD scholarships and to free teaching and research staff to undertake a period of research only activity is also provided directly to accredited centres.

Within the ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping, the members’ research interests are focussed into three inter-related and often overlapping areas, namely:

Regional development; Regional demographics; and Regional service provision.

Collectively, these themes build the social, economic, well-being and physical capacities of rural communities. Much of the research group’s activity is focussed on working with professionals in rural places to develop and implement strategies that promote healthy, vibrant, regional communities.

Within the Regional development area, members’ research has focussed on topics including: economic development in rural Australia; multiculturalism in regional Australia; the use of technology for business development; agricultural enterprises and succession planning and the benefits to regional Australia derived form the success of the wine export industry. Collectively these research interests provide a comprehensive picture of regional development and community change in rural and remote Australia. Additionally, members’ research programs have enabled the establishment of international linkages with researchers in New Zealand, Germany and the Unites States of America which has resulted in some productive research programs and publications.

An exciting and varied agenda of research within the Regional demographics area includes research into gay and lesbian populations in regional Australia, social impacts of drought on rural NSW farming communities; the ethnicity in Riverina communities; depopulation trends in regional Australia, as well as researching the ‘tree change’ phenomenon in rural NSW. Through members’ research and publications, there have been a number of international links established with researchers with similar interests in Scotland, England, United States and America and Canada. Additionally, members have presented the outputs of their research at regional, national and international conferences.

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 9

Regional service provision encompasses the multi-disciplinary nature of the group and is reflected in the multi-faceted approach to rural and regional communities as evidenced by some of the group’s recent research which has included: the nexus between culture and business, mentoring in regional businesses; provision of paramedical services in rural and remote NSW, educational access and curriculum diversity in rural and remote schools; vocational education and training opportunities for secondary students, the need for regional pharmacists, the provision of mental health services to rural and remote locations in Australia, supporting the social and emotional needs of humanitarian entrants (refugees), and the role of agricultural extension services in the farming communities in regional NSW. Members’ scholarly publications and research agendas have seen national and international links created with professional associations such as the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, and the Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Study of Children and Adolescents with Exceptional Needs. Additionally, members have an extensive network of international colleagues that includes researchers in Germany, Alaska, Wales, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand and United States of America. In many cases, collaborative research and publications have occurred over the period 2001-2006.

Main Achievements

Through these international cooperative links, the ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping has an international recognition which is growing and it is planned that more cooperative research programs and publications will evolve over the next five year period.

Over the past 5 year period, the ‘healthy’ rural communities research grouping has been very productive. Its achievements include:

1) a total of 61 publications spread across the DEST reporting categories of books, chapters on books, journal articles and refereed Conference publications;

2) a total of 3 national competitive research grants with a value of $1,025,000-00; 3) a total of $ 2,141,008-00 income from other consultancies, state/ private industry contracts and non-

competitive grants;4) a total of $ 40,180-00 income from non-research grant income to support the groups commitment to engage

with rural communities and disseminate the outputs from its research productivity; and,5) a total of 34 other non-DEST publications such as books; research monographs, non-refereed journal

articles and conference publications, book reviews.

Further, four members of the research grouping are on editorial boards of national and international journals. Two members have been foundation editors of national journals.

Using Google Scholar as a search engine, the members of the research grouping have a total of 164 citations to their research publications and a total of 176 citations to their publications by other authors.

Future Directions

One significant strength of the ‘healthy’ rural communities research grouping is its location within the ILWS. Through the ILWS and its on-going CSU recognition and funding support, the ILWS provides a sound foundation for planning into the future. The benefits of this sustained infrastructure and support from the ILWS ensure that future planning is supported by administrative assistance, dedicated funding and effective management and monitoring mechanisms.

These advantages have enabled the ‘healthy’ rural communities research grouping to develop a forward strategic plan with its focus over the next three year period (2008-2010) that includes:

1) the writing of a book on regional community development;2) the holding of a national conference on sustaining healthy communities;3) strengthening cooperative and collaborative research applications with both group members and with

international researchers.; and,4) policy development and evaluation pertaining to ‘healthy’ rural communities.

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 10

As a group, we have a good mix of experienced research staff and early career researchers which creates a dynamic agenda for new and innovative research topics (eg the social, economic and demographics impacts of ‘tree change’ populations for rural communities). The depth of expertise of the group is recognised in the total number of continuing doctoral and research Masters degree graduated students that we are currently supervising. It is anticipated that the number of higher degree research students will grow significantly over the next 2007-2010 period.

7. DEST Reported Research Income

Type 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTALCategory 1 310000 400000 310000 5000 1,025,000Category 2 485000 393850 424400 489000 215108 101000 2,141,008Category 3 6500 5000 5000 41133 21506 28960 108,099Category 4 TOTAL 491,500 741,500 819,400 840,133 246,614 134,960 3,271,507

Additionally over the 2001-2006 the ‘healthy’ regional communities research grouping has achieved the following non-research income that has supported the efforts of its members to engage with rural professionals, disseminate findings from their funded research programs at national and international professional meetings, and develop collaborative relationships with rural industry partners which potentially can lead to further research applications.

Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTALNon-research grant income

2,670 2,670 2,670 3,170 7,000 22,000 40,180

8. Individually Earned DEST Publication Points

Type 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTALJournal Articles

0 0.25 2.0 4.63 4.73 2.81 14.42

Book Chapters

0 0 0 1.0 0 1.0 2.0

Books 0 0 0 0 0 5.0 5.0Refereed Conference Papers

0.5 0.75 3.25 4.5 7.5 7.25 23.75

TOTAL 0.5 1.0 5.25 10.13 12.23 16.06 45.17

9. Research Higher Degrees Students

The data in the table below indicate that currently members of the research group are involved in supervising 26 Research Higher Degree students. This group consists of:

6 Masters research students; and, 20 doctoral students.

Additionally, members are also involved in supervising 4 professional doctorate students who are completing non-research higher degrees (e.g. Doctor of Public Health; Doctor of Business Administration, and Doctor of Health Science). As can be seen from the table in section 10 below, the number of higher degree research students has grown substantially in 2006. This increase is due, in part, to the fact that the many Early Career Researcher members within the ‘healthy’ rural communities research grouping have become established at CSU as research productive,

‘Healthy’ rural communities RQF grouping 11

completed their RHD supervisor training programs, and are now contributing to the quality of supervision of doctoral students.

10.

Type 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTALTotal Number of students supervised

1 1 1 2 4 17 26

Number of students graduating

1 1 2

Only include RHDS

11. Impact Statement (1000 Words)

Rural and regional Australia faces a number of challenges that are reflected diverse influences such as uneven regional development, depopulation trends, high unemployment figures, the decline of many country towns, the impacts of a globalised economic market, industry de-regulation, changing Federal and state government policies often associated with the withdrawal of government services, access to quality compulsory and post-compulsory education, and access to high quality health services. Within this framework, the impacts of these societal trends can be devastating for rural communities. The research of the ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping is set as a counterbalance to these trends and seeks to build rural community capacity and resilience through its multi-disciplinary focus.

The ‘healthy’ regional communities research grouping consist of 9 members whose scholarly works are listed in Google Scholar 164 times and whose scholarly works have been cited 176 times by other researchers. The prominent mode of dissemination of the group’s research output has been through a) engagement with the professions at national and international conferences, and, b) direct consultation with the professionals working in rural regional communities. This engagement achieves two main outcomes: a) it promotes regional engagement and dialogue with the communities and their professionals; and, b) it ensures dissemination of research findings to many more people than those engaged in the academic community.

Through the collective research efforts of the group, their impacts have produced change and improvement to service provision in rural places that benefits and enhances the social capital, the economic development and the quality of lifestyle for individuals and groups located in rural places. The regional, state level and national significance of the group’s research activities is evidenced by the community links to organisations such as Landcare, regional economic development bodies, local government bodies, professional associations as well as the active scheduling of presentations at national conferences. One of the main outcomes from the group’s research is the strategic input into policy development and evaluation. Also, members of the group are invited to make submissions to Federal and state level inquiries that affect the sustainability of dynamic and vibrant rural communities. These focuses align closely with the social impact focus of the Institute for Land Water and Society (ILWS).

The national and international reputation of the members within the ‘healthy’ rural communities grouping has been recognised by the fact that four members of the research grouping sit on the editorial review boards of national and international journals that focus on rural education, rural health, regional accountancy and rural social conditions. Two members have been foundation editors of national journals (Education in Rural Australia; and, Australian Journal of Accountancy Education). Two members have been recognised as outstanding scholars and have been invited to become Australian Research Council (ARC) ‘experts of international standing’ (A/Prof O’Meara and Dr Boylan).

Case Study (A/Prof Peter O’Meara)

Since the late 1990s Dr Peter O’Meara has developed a rural health and community participation body of work focusing on unscheduled medical services and community development. His first research project in 1998 developed

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a model for an after-hours medical service in a rural town where the local hospital had been closed. Numerous rural health conferences followed, along with two journal articles describing the model. The after hours medical service is still operating and is often used as an exemplar model for communities with strong collaborative links between general practitioners and community health services.  This research agenda broadened through with funding from the Department of Human Services, Victoria to include all urgent care services in the rural areas of Victoria. The ‘urgent care project’ developed an innovative and original conceptual framework using metaphors to describe the urgent care system in rural communities. A feature of the model developed was its departure from an exclusive focus on health providers and individual patients toward a more holistic approach that considered community infrastructure and the roles of other community groups such as emergency services, volunteers, local government, and intangibles such as leadership. This systems framework was further developed in Dr O’Meara’s doctorate where he utilised soft system methodology to describe and analyse existing and emerging models of ambulance service delivery for rural Australia. National and international presentations have been given on the models developed and the approach taken to involving communities in the development of service initiatives.

This community development approach to needs analysis and system design has been implemented in rural Victoria to initiate and implement a new model of ambulance service delivery that melds the traditional volunteer ambulance model with the emerging practitioner model to form a community paramedic system that is more closely linked with other health providers and the local community. Later research examining the rural and regional paramedic role undertaken by Dr O’Meara and a research team drawn from three universities and four ambulance authorities has confirmed that similar models are now emerging throughout Australia in response to health workforce pressures and the growing occupational status of ambulance paramedics. This body of work has directly influenced the direction of research and service delivery for Australian ambulance authorities through key presentations at the last four Australasian Council of Ambulance Authorities rural and remote ambulance symposiums. The first ever NSW Ambulance Rural Plan in 2006 also incorporated the inclusion of community participation in service planning with the inclusion of Dr O’Meara and another rural health academic on the development group as external advisors. There continues to be interest in the concepts with further development planned in Australia and discussions taking place in North America after a presentation at a World rural health conference in June 2007.

Overall rating of the ‘Healthy’ Rural Communities research grouping:Quality = 3; Impact = C

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