For Dr Bronwyn Jackson, serving rural and remote communities has never just been part of the job, it has been her calling. Having spent much of her life in the Northern Territory, Dr Jackson is no stranger to the challenges and rewards of rural medicine. Previously working as a Medical Educator and GP in Darwin, she recently settled in Ballina on the New South Wales coast. Dr Jackson felt the familiar pull toward country practice and soon found herself travelling to Collarenebri, a community she now describes as “a small town with a big heart.”
Collarenebri sits on the traditional lands of the Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) people, one of the largest First Nations groups in Australia. The town’s name itself reflects its deep Aboriginal heritage, and the community continues to be shaped by strong cultural identity, kinship, and connection to Country. Surrounding the township are expansive farming properties of cotton, wheat, sheep, and cattle, operated by families whose resilience and generosity contributes to the fabric of the region.
Collarenebri has a small rural ‘hospital’ with emergency beds and aged care facility. A dedicated team of local staff and rostered health professionals support each other and the town, and the doctor is part of the team.
But despite its strength, Collarenebri faces the same challenge shared by many rural towns: distance. With the closest major hospital located in Dubbo, nearly 300 kilometres away, communities like Collarenebri depend on the dedication of local medical staff and the support of organisations committed to bridging the gap.
For Dr Jackson, that nine-hour drive from Ballina quickly proved both exhausting and unsustainable. To ensure she could maximise her time caring for patients, rather than travelling — Angel Flight stepped in.
For many months now, she has been flying with Sydney-based volunteer pilots Paul Sawatzky and Nick McGlone, along with Tenterfield-based pilot Rob Evans, as she rotates two weeks on, two weeks off with another doctor. The pilots often speak about how meaningful it is to “fly for a purpose,” and Dr Jackson says she feels privileged and honoured not only to fly with Angel Flight but to serve a community that places immense trust in its healthcare providers.
Having experience in a range of medical settings, including a 12-month stint in emergency medicine in Hornsby Hospital (Sydney), Dr Jackson brings a broad range of experience to her role as a GP VMO. Yet, she says her heart firmly belongs to rural Australia.
“The most important thing our work as a permanent doctor duo brings is continuity of care for chronic disease management,” she explains. “In these communities, people look after themselves and their own. But having confidence, knowledge about their condition, and access to the medical community brings great value. Patients often say they get sick of repeating their story to different doctors. Continuity changes everything.”
“The health team At Collarenebri has been very welcoming and supportive in my transition into the role. Ochre Health and local staff have provided excellent context and orientation, and the NSW Health staff have provided ongoing support,” says Dr Jackson.
Angel Flight’s role in supporting health professionals like Dr Jackson extends beyond transport — it strengthens entire communities. By enabling doctors to remain accessible, Angel Flight helps ensure that patients can stay within their community, close to family, culture, and support networks.
“Keeping people on Country makes good sense, culturally, logistically, financially, and emotionally,” says Angel Flight’s CEO- Marjorie Pagani. “It bolsters the health of the community holistically and makes rural and remote areas more sustainable places to live.”
For Dr Jackson, the privilege lies not only in providing care but in being welcomed into a community enriched by history, heart, and a deep respect for one another. And for Collarenebri, having consistent, compassionate medical support means stronger health outcomes and a brighter future for all.
