Gunnedah Rural Health Centre (GRHC) has welcomed three new staff – business director Wendy Collier, Doctor Arash Vajed Samiei and his wife, dermatologist Parisa Arianejad.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wendy Collier has 20-30 years experience in business management and most recently worked in Brisbane.
She and her husband wanted to live somewhere in the country that wouldn’t be too far from their children who are based in Sydney and Brisbane.
Mrs Collier said they looked at a map and decided that a town in the Gunnedah region would be best, then she saw the GRHC business director position advertised and decided to apply.
“We knew we both wanted to go back to the country and we both grew up in the country,” she said.
“That’s what we both want, to settle.
“We want to buy some land here and build a house.”
Mrs Collier said the warm reception she had received from GRHC staff was helping her to settle in.
“They’re very giving... It’s wonderful. They’ve made it very easy for me,” she said.
“I just think it’s a great town. People are so friendly. It’s amazing.
“Every time I’m in Woolies, the person behind me in line will just start chatting.”
Mrs Collier said she and her husband wanted to live in Gunnedah long-term.
“We’re planning on joining community groups or projects,” she said.
“We want to actually be a part of this community and make it our home.”
Dr Arash, his wife Parisa and their six-year-old daughter Sophia are also planning on making Gunnedah their home after moving this month from Melbourne. Their second child, Mehrsa is attending university.
The family moved from Iran to Australia three years ago. Their recent move to Gunnedah was prompted by a desire to have a quieter lifestyle and more family time.
“The thing was that we really liked this type of lifestyle, a bit slower, we can spend more time together,” Dr Arash said.
“Working in hours is very pleasant because I can spend more time with my family.”
Ms Arianejad said she was looking forward to starting work at GRHC soon.
“I like the country practice as there is more chance to see skin cancer patients,” she said.
“When I moved to Gunnedah, I hoped to focus more on skin cancer instead of cosmetics.”
She said she would like to focus on seeing Aboriginal patients.
The family is living just out of town and said they enjoyed the “very picturesque view” from their house.
“We have a lot of space,” Dr Arash said.
“It is very nice.”
Sophia has already made friends with the neighbouring children and plays with them frequently. She is in Year 1 at St Xavier’s Primary School.
The trio recently visited the Gunnedah Show and Dr Arash said they really enjoyed the experience.
He said Gunnedah residents were “very nice people” and he felt they were “well known” for this trait.
“This is a very welcoming thing for us,” he said.
“Working in Gunnedah, I feel I can have more effect.
“You can do a lot for your patients.”
