Encore: What I learnt about Australia as an Outback GP

2026-04-16

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When Sonia Henry signed up to work as a GP in a remote mining town in the Pilbara, the experience changed almost everything she believed about Australia.An unfortunate romantic entanglement just before her final exams left her questioning everything, just as she was about to qualify as a doctor.To escape her life in Sydney, she signed up to work in some of Australia's most far-flung medical clinics.While working as a GP in places like the Pilbara, outback NSW, the Northern Territory and Broome Sonia had many experiences w...

When Sonia Henry signed up to work as a GP in a remote mining town in the Pilbara, the experience changed almost everything she believed about Australia.

An unfortunate romantic entanglement just before her final exams left her questioning everything, just as she was about to qualify as a doctor.

To escape her life in Sydney, she signed up to work in some of Australia's most far-flung medical clinics.

While working as a GP in places like the Pilbara, outback NSW, the Northern Territory and Broome Sonia had many experiences with her patients which completely altered how she saw Australia.

Content Warning – suicide and adult themes. Listener discretion advised.

Further information

Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl is published by Allen and Unwin

Lifeline on 13 11 14
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
Doctors' Health Advisory Service is a 24 hr support line for doctors, medical students, dentists, veterinarians and students of these professions.

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