Giving rural Aussies the support they need

Helping rural Australians through tough times was prime motivation for Jim Campion when he chose to return to full-time study in his early fifties. Four years after graduation from The University of Queensland Master of Counselling course, his outreach work with Lifeline now extends across a vast portion of the state's south west. "I was certainly unsure about the expectations, my capacity and the challenges I would face with full-time study," Mr Campion said. "In reflection, it was great preparation and I've been working as a family counsellor with Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland since 2013. "My role involves working with both referred and self-referred individuals, couples and families for counselling support and therapeutic interventions. "I'm based in Charleville, but the role also involves face-to-face outreach work and telephone consultations in towns such as Mitchell, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Tambo and Cunnamulla." Inspired to pursue a career in counselling after volunteering at Wesley Mission's Wheller Gardens at Chermside in 2009, Mr Campion began studying full-time at UQ in 2011. He credits UQ educator Associate Professor Judith Murray for fanning the flames of his interest with her own commitment and passion for counselling.