More Than 160 Members Connect at The Network's Gippsland Social Dinners

Over 160 medical students, interns, hospital doctors and registrars recently came together at a series of social networking dinners held across four locations in Gippsland.

Unlike traditional professional events, these evenings had no guest speakers, presentations or educational sessions. Instead, they were designed with a simple purpose: bringing people together to build friendships, strengthen professional relationships and create support networks that extend beyond the workplace.

The events reflect one of The Network's core goals of fostering a connected and supportive medical community across Gippsland.

President of The Network – For Doctors, By Doctors, Dr Noah Pallot, said the dinners provided an important opportunity for doctors and medical students to connect outside of busy clinical environments.

"We often hear from medical students and doctors who are new to Gippsland that it can be difficult to make friends and build collegial support because of busy and conflicting work schedules," Dr Pallot said.

"The dinners gave everyone the chance to relax, get to know one another and strengthen the relationships that make working in rural medicine so rewarding."

The strong attendance and positive atmosphere demonstrated the value of creating informal opportunities for connection alongside professional development.

Supported through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's Rural and Remote Community Support Grant, The Network continues to bring together medical students and early-career doctors through education, mentoring, skills development and social events.

Following the success of its first year, The Network has secured Victorian Department of Health funding to continue and expand throughout 2027.

As the initiative grows, there is also hope that the model can be replicated across other regional areas of Victoria, helping strengthen rural medical communities well beyond Gippsland.