Newscastle NSW - Dr Rebecca Dunnigan BDS (Glasgow)

From

UK

Graduating university

I graduated from Glasgow University in 1993.

Previous job in the UK:

After completing Vocational Training I had worked in three NHS practices in and around Glasgow.

Why Australia?

A friend that I studied with came out to Australia in 2004 through DJS. My husband and I came out to visit her in September 2005 and thought it looked like an interesting and more laid back way of life. After that trip we became quite excited at the prospect of moving to Australia.

The reason we decided to take the plunge was to diversify my experience and enjoy the climate. I also realised that with my dental qualification it would be relatively easy to get a visa and move here. My husband being entitled to a work as a dependent on my DJS sponsored visa helped make the decision easy.

We had packed up everything and moved to Australia by April in 2006.

What has been your Australian career path?

Initially I worked in a Queensland Government practice based in Mackay Base Hospital. This gave me the security of a salaried position to transition into Australian life, and a diverse group of patients, responsibilities and challenges that I hadn't experienced in Glasgow.

Mackay was a very different place to live from anywhere I was used to. The weather was very hot and humid compared to Glasgow and working in a hospital environment was very different from general practice in the UK.

Living there gave us the opportunity to visit many places including Brisbane, Airlie Beach and Townsville.

Initially we thought that the nomadic lifestyle might appeal to us for a while and that we would travel and work in a new place around Australia every 6 months. However we soon realised that this type of lifestyle didn't suit us so, in January 2007, we moved to Newcastle, NSW where I took up a position in private practice.

Tell us about Newcastle life:

We really enjoy it - it's the second largest city in New South Wales with all the amenities that you would need but without the high cost of living and traffic of a capital city. We live a short walk from the beaches, cafes and restaurants with an easy commute to work. Newcastle and the Hunter Valley attract international music, comedy and entertainment acts to a number of venues. Sydney is only 1.5 hours drive away (or 30 minutes by seaplane), so we can easily visit.

What is your current position?

At the moment I am on maternity leave, however prior to this I worked between two clinics in the Newcastle area for a large dental group that run practices around Australia. I'll be returning to the position later this year.

How does this work differ to your work in the UK?

It is similar in that I have a wide range of patients and clinical freedom in terms of treatment plans. It is different in that I work in a more modern practice that is better equipped in terms of material choice. Also, because of the Australian fee structure, you can afford to spend more time with your patients than you can in the NHS.

I have always had a good work-life balance, but working here has allowed me to enjoy it to the full as it is more laid back.

What are the advantages of living where you do?

There are more outdoor activities, due to the better climate and we spend time at the beautiful beaches in the Newcastle area. We make the most of the outdoor cafe culture with friends in the sunshine and my husband can enjoy golf all year round. Weekends can be spent visiting the nearby Hunter Valley wine region or Port Stephens.

How did you go about getting a job in Australia?

I contacted DJS while on holidays in 2005, it was all pretty easy. DJS sent us information, we filled out forms and got together all the necessary documentation when we returned home in September 2005, and were in Australia by April 2006. I lined up my first job before leaving the UK and when I wanted to move I just checked the DJS website for positions vacant in my chosen location.