Thurru Indigenous Health Unit
"Thurru" - To be in a state of healing.
Our location
We provide culturally safe spaces for students to study.
These spaces include:
- VA Building (VA205) at Callaghan Campus
- Level 6 at Central Coast Clinical School
You can search for these using the campus maps.
We would love to see students using these spaces and provide an opportunity to meet other health students across disciplines. There will also be academic staff around from time to time if you need a yarn.
Support for students
The Thurru Indigenous Health Unit provides academic support, cultural support and pastoral care to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle.
Through our Academic Learning Support team students can also access:
- One-to-one (online and face-to-face) study support
- Attend a PASS session or study skills workshop
- Find out more about other academic services to help them with their studies.
Miroma Bunbilla Program
The Miroma Bunbilla Program is your pathway into the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (JMP). The program is designed to give you an insight into studying medicine. The program is delivered face-to-face during the second half of the year.
Each year, up to 17 places are set aside for admission into the Joint Medical Program for applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Our program has graduated more than 145 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors since 1985.
At the University of Newcastle we want to see you succeed – and creating pathways in medicine is a way we can help do that.
You will have the opportunity to participate in the program at a nominated university facility:
- The University of Newcastle (Callaghan)
- University of New England (Armidale)
- The University Department of Rural Health (UDRH): Moree, Tamworth, Taree, and Orange
For further information, please visit Miroma Bunbila Program page.
If you have any questions, please contact deadlydocs@newcastle.edu.au or call 4055 0801.
Pital Tarkin
The Thurru Indigenous Health Unit hosts a regular evening called ‘Pital Tarkin’ meaning ‘Friendly Faces’ in Awabakal language.
Several Pital Tarkin’s are held throughout the year. They bring together mentors and mentees from across the medical profession.
Pital Tarkin provides an opportunity for Indigenous medical students and industry professional to network and share their unique experiences. Valuable discussions around current issues in the profession are usually the focus.
Scholarships links
- Aurora Education Foundation Indigenous Pathways Portal
- Australian College of Nursing Scholarships
- Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) Scholarships and Financial Support
- Australian Medical Association (AMA) Indigenous Medical Scholarship
- Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Research Indigenous Health Scholarship Program
- Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Jobs and Scholarships
- New South Wales (NSW) Health Scholarships and Training Programs
- New South Wales (NSW) Rural Doctors Network Scholarships Database
- University of Newcastle Scholarships
- University of Newcastle Financial Assistance
You are most welcome to give us a call on 4055 0801 or send us an email with any questions you might have at Thurru@newcastle.edu.au.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.