Physiotherapy Student Placements
District Council of Orroroo Carrieton

L-R Council Worker Phil Davies with Uni Students, Rohan and Alex, being shown a manual handling technique using the whipper snipper.

Council has welcomed another placement of University of South Australia physiotherapy students, this time to the Council’s Works Depot. In the first week of September, Council welcomed Alexandra Moody and Rohan French to Orroroo and into their Works Depot.

The students were asked to provide manual handling training to the Works Department. Alex and Rohan conducted research on the type of manual handling tasks that the Works Staff undertake on a regular basis and were able to conduct a site visit to speak to the workers.

The session, an hour and half presentation, included theory of how muscles work and statistics from Safe Work Australia relating to their work environment and a practical section, showing the Works Staff stretching exercises they can do daily to prepare their body for work and the correct lifting procedure.

The University of South Australia with assistance from the Mid North Local Health Cluster has formed a partnership with the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton for the placement of final year physiotherapy students to complete their Work Health and Safety (WHS) Practical. The aim of the student placements is to give physiotherapy students exposure to activities at a variety of workplaces and to thereby broaden their understanding of WHS issues in South Australian industries.

The placement is the second of what is hoped to be many, as SA Health partners with a number of Universities to get young professionals to study in the regions. Those who enjoy our big sky, clean air and country hospitality may even decide to hang around to have a future career here where opportunity exists!

Further placements will be occurring later this year with more students at the Council and other businesses in Orroroo. Please make them welcome to our community!