Dubbo: The School of Rural Health verse Dubbo Base Hospital staff in friendly cricket match

Medical students from the state’s central west will take on country hospital staff to raise money towards a local organisation.

School of Rural Health students versing Dubbo Base Hospital staff at an annual cricket match. Photo: Supplied.

Rural medical students will take on country hospital staff in a charity cricket match to raise funds for a specialist patient accommodation facility.

Dubbo’s School of Rural Health will go head-to-head with Dubbo Base Hospital staff at Victoria Oval from 1pm on October 20.

The Country Club Dubbo, a medical student-led group established in 2022, organised the past two tournaments, alongside other local events in the region to introduce students with local residents.

The friendly match is to raise money and awareness for Macquarie Home Stay – a specialist accommodation facility designed to assist out-of-Dubbo patients with cheaper stays during their treatment.

Medical student Daipayan Mukhopadhyay told The Dubbo News that last year’s event raised more than $4000 towards the facility while it enabled students to connect with potential future staff.

Medical student Daipayan Mukhopadhyay. Photo: Supplied.

“I’m very much of a city boy, but I moved to the country, and I think one of the best ways to interact with people and meet people is to engage with sport,” Mr Mukhopadhyay said.

“It’s been really fun so far. My friends started the competition with a then cohort of 20-ish and now it’s close to 100.

“Whether people are seriously training or just tossing the ball around every week, it’s grown a lot.”

There will also be food, beverages and an auction at the event to further support the facility.

“It’s nice to see the doctors out on the field and in a relaxing environment,” he said.

“They bring their partners, friends, kids so it’s more about just playing a game of sport and a day away from the intensity of learning.”

Mr Mukhopadhyay invited Dubbo residents to watch the match.