Encore: What I learnt about Australia as an Outback GP
From Conversations by ABC Australia
April 16, 2026 · 49 min
About this episode
Sonia Henry shares her transformative experiences as a GP in remote Australia, challenging her perceptions of the country.
When Sonia Henry signed up to work as a GP in a remote mining town in the Pilbara, the experience changed almost everything she believed about Australia. An unfortunate romantic entanglement just before her final exams left her questioning everything, just as she was about to qualify as a doctor. To escape her life in Sydney, she signed up to work in some of Australia's most far-flung medical clinics. While working as a GP in places like the Pilbara, outback NSW, the Northern Territory and Broome Sonia had many experiences with her patients which completely altered how she saw Australia. Content Warning – suicide and adult themes. Listener discretion advised. Further information Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl is published by Allen and Unwin Lifeline on 13 11 14 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 Doctors' Health Advisory Service is a 24 hr support line for doctors, medical students, dentists, veterinarians and students of these professions.
People in this episode
Guest: Sonia Henry
Topics covered
- healthcare
- rural medicine
- personal growth
- Australia
- mental health
- relationships
Keywords
- GP
- Australia
- mental health
- Pilbara
- rural healthcare
- personal experiences
- suicide
- relationships
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Lifeline, MensLine Australia, Suicide Call Back Service, Beyond Blue, Headspace, Doctors' Health Advisory Service
Books & works: Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl
Places: Pilbara, outback NSW, Northern Territory, Broome
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