Royal Far West (RFW) is continuing to grow its presence across regional Victoria, deepening partnerships with rural schools and bringing vital health and wellbeing services directly into local communities.
During Semester 1, RFW’s multidisciplinary teams (MDT) travelled across Victorian rural towns, working side-by-side with educators, families and students to deliver tailored, high-impact support.
A Strong Start in Birchip
In March, RFW marked its first visit to Birchip P–12 College as the school commenced their partnership with RFW. The visiting team – psychologist Hayden, speech pathologist Kat, occupational therapist Nicole, alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr Marcel – spent a full week embedded in the school community.
Their work included:
- Face-to-face sessions with students already receiving telehealth support
- Classroom observations to better understand learning environments
- Parent and teacher consultations
- Language and occupational therapy screening assessments
- Staff training on identifying indicators for referral
- Classroom presentations on Understanding Worries and Friendships and Feelings
This immersive approach allowed the team to build meaningful relationships while ensuring early identification and support for students who need it most.
Growing Partnerships Across the Wimmera
In April, RFW returned to the Wimmera region for a two-week visit, working across Rainbow P–12 College, Hopetoun P–12 College, Jeparit Primary School and Beulah Primary School.
This visit builds on established partnerships, with RFW supporting Rainbow since 2023 and now entering its second year working with the cluster of schools. Over time, the MDT has developed strong connections with these communities – becoming a familiar and trusted presence for both staff and families.
Key activities included:
- Face-to-face student sessions
- Classroom observations
- Parent and teacher meetings
- Screening assessments in speech and occupational therapy
- Professional learning for educators on regulation and relaxation strategies
- Staff Q&A sessions and case study discussions
- Participation in community events, including a parent breakfast and school cross country
Supporting Rural Communities, Together
By embedding services directly within schools, RFW is helping to remove barriers to care for rural and remote students. These visits not only strengthen existing telehealth services but also build local capability through collaboration with educators and families.
As RFW continues to expand its footprint in Victoria, the focus remains clear: early intervention, strong partnerships, and equitable access to care for every child – no matter where they live.
