In the past, public physiotherapy services in Merredin and surrounding communities were provided by a private contractor.

Following an unsuccessful tender process late last year, the WA Country Health Service (Wheatbelt) decided to replace this contractor service with a salaried physiotherapy workforce.

Suzanne Rice, from Perth, has taken on her first full-time physiotherapist position in Merredin after graduating from Notre Dame University last year.

She said she also had experience from doing placements in Geraldton, Mandurah, Pinjarra and Northam.

“I like the country and I consider myself a bit of a country bumpkin,” she said.

“Merredin’s very nice and everyone has been really friendly, although our first week has been extremely busy.

“I serve a large area of the Wheatbelt so I travel around a lot which is nice and I have received a warm welcome everywhere.”

Miss Rice said she enjoyed sports including swimming and boxing and had already gotten involved with playing indoor cricket in the Merredin community.

Working with Miss Rice, Lawrie Greenham from Serpentine has taken on the role of senior physiotherapist for the next three months.

Mr Greenham has been a physiotherapist for more than 30 years, nine of which were spent at Shenton Park and 14 years in a private practice in Dianella.

Since 1992 he has been travelling all over WA in his caravan, taking on three-month locum positions, the latest of which is Merredin.

“I enjoy travelling and visiting new places and I’m a keen bowls player,” he said.

He said he was looking forward to getting involved with bowling in Merredin.

The duo said they hoped to provide a friendly service and their door was always open for anyone to come in for a chat.

People seeking to access the public physiotherapy service are encouraged to contact the Eastern Wheatbelt Primary Health Service on 9041 0444 to arrange an appointment.

Private physiotherapy contractor Matt Beaumont, of Right Move Physiotherapy, will continue to provide a private physiotherapy service which can be booked by calling 9041 1500.