From Broken Hill to Buronga: My eye-opening deployment adventures in the Far West

Sunset in Broken Hill area

Senior Social Worker Shiva Otim has completed two deployments in the Far West LHD. “These experiences opened my eyes to the needs in rural areas and the incredible people working to meet them. If you have the flexibility, I’d encourage you to give it a go – the support you receive makes all the difference.”

Check out the NSW Health Deployment Program.

"Dear Diary,

Hi, I’m Shiva Otim and I’m a Senior Social Worker at NSW Health Deployment Program. I wanted to share a bit about my experience so far – both with the Deployment Program itself and the incredible places I’ve been deployed to.

From the start, the Deployment Program officers have been nothing but supportive – professionally and personally. They’ve always been flexible when plans change, and the whole process runs seamlessly. From confirming my availability dates, to matching me with a health facility in need, to interviews about the work, accommodation, and transport – every detail is taken care of. It really allowed me to focus on the work without having to worry about the logistics.

Both of my deployments have been in the Far West LHD. The first was at Broken Hill Hospital, where I worked as the Social Worker for the Medical, Surgical, and Intensive Care Unit for three weeks. My second was in Buronga HealthOne as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Clinician for seven weeks. Accommodation varied – in Broken Hill I stayed in the nursing quarters, and in Buronga I was in a shared house.

These experiences really opened my eyes to the extent of need in rural areas – and the vulnerabilities that come with limited access to vital services. It’s made me even more passionate about the work we do and the impact we can have.

If you have the flexibility, I’d encourage you to consider joining NSW Health Deployment Program or taking a role in one of the areas of need. Not all placements are isolated, but even in the most remote areas, what you might miss in big-city convenience is more than made up for by the people.

My deployments in the Far West have been challenging, rewarding, and eye-opening – and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next. I’ve been lucky enough to capture some beautiful photos of the staff and the stunning scenery during my time here. If you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the program team. They’ll happily answer and guide you through. "