In 2019, fresh from university and driven by a dream to make a difference, Dorji Yuden arrived in Kalgoorlie. A newly qualified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor, she stepped into the vast and challenging landscapes of rural Western Australia with hope, determination, and a heartfelt commitment to rural health.
Dorji secured a role as a Counsellor at Goldfields Rehabilitation Service, the only dedicated 24/7 residential drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation treatment service in the Goldfields–Esperance region
From her earliest days in the role, Dorji felt a profound connection with the community and her clients. The challenges of rural work were real, but so was the deep sense of fulfillment.
“The role was very challenging,” Dorji admits.
“I was fresh out of university, working alongside clients facing not only addiction but often complex mental health issues too. The residential, round-the-clock nature of the service meant there was no room for complacency.” Dorji added.
But what kept Dorji going wasn’t just professional ambition. It was the connection, the human stories behind every client. In rural health, she discovered, you don’t just provide treatment; you become part of a community.
“Hearing their stories and seeing their journeys toward recovery gave my work meaning,” she says. Group sessions, one-on-one counselling, and outreach became daily pillars of her work and sources of fulfillment.
Yet working in a remote area came with challenges beyond clinical care. Isolation, limited resources, and the emotional weight of intense cases could be overwhelming.
“Peer support was everything,” Dorji reflects. “Having colleagues to share experiences and strategies with, to learn from and lean on, was vital to my wellbeing.”
Her workplace fostered a culture of ongoing professional development and mutual support, helping build resilience and reduce burnout.
Dorji’s commitment to professional development has also been unwavering: she fulfills her commitment as a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association, attends monthly supervision and participates in ongoing training, mentoring, and coaching. She credits these opportunities as being instrumental to her growth and effectiveness in her role.
In 2022, Dorji’s hard work and leadership were recognised. She was appointed Clinical Services Coordinator, stepping into a key management role.
Now, five years on, Dorji looks back on her journey with pride and hope. The Goldfields Rehabilitation Service continues to be a lifeline for many, staffed by dedicated rural health professionals committed to breaking down stigma and building hope in isolated communities.
“We’ve come a long way, but there’s more to do,” she says. The need for tailored training, wellbeing initiatives, and strong peer networks remains critical to sustaining the rural health workforce.
Dorji’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and heart in rural health work. It reminds us that supporting these frontline workers—through professional growth opportunities, mental health initiatives, and a sense of community—is essential to the strength and future of health care in the bush.
As we celebrate the dedication of rural health professionals like Dorji, we see that their work transcends titles. It is about standing alongside communities, embracing challenges with courage, and creating pathways toward healing and resilience in the unique fabric of rural Australia.
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