CDU Social Work student takes on life-changing placement in Alice Springs
Charles Darwin University (CDU) social work student Rebekah Hill-McNeill has swapped Melbourne for Central Australia to gain hands-on experience at one of the Northern Territory’s most important frontline services.
Ms Hill-McNeill is completing her mandatory social work placement at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Alice Springs, a specialist NT Health service that provides 24-hour crisis response, medical care, forensic services and counselling to people who have experienced sexual assault.
“I’ve been loving prac! I feel like I got really lucky with a great team that have been very welcoming,” Ms Hill-McNeill said.
“I’ll also have the opportunity to switch out with the Social Work student at the hospital in a couple of weeks so will get to see how everything works over there.
“The best part has been exploring Central Australia - Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap have been amazing. The most challenging part is working out the balance of being a student while almost qualified.”
She said the chance to learn in such a diverse environment was proving invaluable both personally and professionally.
“I’m gaining really valuable experience being part of a specialist service as a branch of NT Health.
“The cultural diversity in and around Alice Springs has been a fantastic educational opportunity. The experience I’m gaining here will definitely shape my future career."
With another two months left in Alice Springs, Ms Hill-McNeill said she hopes to make the most of her time in the Red Centre.
“Uluru is right at the top of my bucket list to see before I leave. But professionally, I’m not entirely convinced I’ll be heading back to Melbourne, which is a surprise even to me.
“I guess I’ll see how the next couple of months play out - anyone in the mental health space around town looking for staff, give me a shout!”
CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health, Professor Dominic Upton, said placements like Ms Hill-McNeill’s are critical for preparing students to work in complex real-world environments.
“Placements in regional and remote areas give our students the chance to experience the realities of frontline practice,” Professor Upton said.
“They’re not just developing technical skills, but also learning how to work in culturally diverse settings and adapt to the unique challenges faced by communities in Central Australia. These are invaluable experiences that shape the next generation of social workers.”