Associate Professor Andrew Kirke, Head of The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA), has had a career marked by twists and turns that ultimately led him to champion rural healthcare and medical education in WA.
His journey into medicine and rural practice wasn’t always a given – he began with a love for zoology and dreamed of becoming a wildlife expert like Harry Butler or David Attenborough. However, at 23, Andrew felt a calling to pivot into medicine.
“I was a fossil compared to these 17-year-old kids,” he recalls of his time in The University of Western Australia’s undergraduate medical program.
While still studying, Andrew married Clare Willix, then a nurse whose six-month stint in Derby heavily influenced the future career trajectories for both. Clare returned from the Kimberley with three declarations: she wanted to work in Aboriginal health, in a remote location, and she also wanted to study medicine herself. “She told me not to stop her – not that I could had I tried,” Andrew laughs.
Andrew initially considered specialising in infectious diseases but found himself drawn to general practice, inspired in part by his involvement in SPINRPHEX, a student group supported by the WA Centre for Rural and Remote Medicine (WACRRM) – Rural Health West’s predecessor.
Training as a GP in a rural location was somewhat unconventional then, however through WACRRM’s advocacy, some rural placements were available. Andrew was assigned to Kalgoorlie, where he was profoundly impacted by the mentorship of Dr Phil Reid, a seasoned GP known for his engaging teaching style and storytelling.
“Phil was an incredible mentor,” Andrew recalls. “His stories – half his own, half his rural GP father’s – were filled with medical knowledge, humour and humility. They were often a little rude but always carried an important lesson. I’m grateful to still count him as a mentor and friend.”
Kalgoorlie also provided Andrew and Clare a taste of rural life and medicine that would shape their careers. Clare’s passion for remote Aboriginal health had been kindled in Derby, and the couple soon found themselves drawn to the Kimberley.
“The Kimberley was like a different planet – it’s a fascinating place to practice medicine.”
Though their time in Derby was rewarding, Kalgoorlie eventually drew them back, offering a strong sense of community and a full scope of practice.
Clare continued in Aboriginal health, while Andrew expanded his experience, from obstetrics and anaesthetics to leading the hospital’s emergency department with a team of junior doctors. Both also took roles with The Rural Clinical School of WA under the mentorship of founding Head, Professor Campbell Murdoch. “Those were the days when you really did everything,” he reflects. “I even put my infectious disease skills to use diagnosing malaria and schistosomiasis.
“During one DCT visit while I was still training, I was called to the emergency department to intubate a critically injured patient. I headed in with the trainer and after we successfully transferred the patient, she shared that she had enjoyed the buzz of being called on to use your full skillset as a rural doctor.”
Having grown to be a family of six and with their eldest child approaching high school, the Kirke-Willix clan relocated to Bunbury to better balance the demands of career and family life. During this time, Professors Geoff Riley and later David Atkinson, subsequent Heads of RCSWA, saw potential in Andrew and encouraged him to step into leadership as Deputy Head, and later, as Head of School upon David’s retirement.
In his leadership role, Andrew has overseen significant growth within RCSWA, driven by increased medical student numbers and subsequent expansion of RCSWA locations. One of the most successful initiatives under his leadership has been the final-year placements program. “It all started with four students who wanted to stay in Bunbury for their final year,” he explains.
“All were from Notre Dame, which supported the idea, and Bron Peirce really took that on and she said ‘Ok – I think we can make this work’. The final year program was born, as were four new babies (including one set of twins), from that inaugural final year cohort. “Their determination and success set off a ripple effect. Next, students across Albany, Broome, Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie wanted the same opportunities.”
Andrew envisions RCSWA continuing to grow its final-year placements to around 40 students, in line with WA Country Health Service intern numbers.
“Ideally, we’d love to expand to other locations like the Pilbara and Wheatbelt, as well as reinstating placements in Kalgoorlie. It’s all about finding the right balance of clinical supervision and rotation opportunities to get them through their final year,” he notes.
When asked about the future for RCSWA, Andrew said his focus is sustainability rather than further growth. “I don’t think we need more students coming through RCSWA. We’ve got good numbers, and if we can hold on to them and keep them rural, that’s going to make a huge difference to the workforce.” A key priority, he noted, is to secure the resources to sustain the program.
“We’ve got to get more housing for the students, and that means convincing the Commonwealth that the program is successful and worth funding in the long term.”
Reflecting on his personal plans, Andrew hinted that it might soon be time to hand over the reins. “We’ve got lots of fabulous people working in RCSWA, as well as people interstate. I think it’s important to get original ideas, new energy, and fresh directions. “So that’s my ambition; secure the sustainability of RCSWA and then hand over to someone who can bring a fresh perspective.”
So does that suggest an early retirement for Andrew?
“Our youngest is a few years away from finishing high school and then Clare’s got plans about working more remotely.
“I’m keen to continue in general practice, along with some research and teaching – so I will definitely stay involved with rural medicine for some time yet!”
Andrew’s long-term contributions to rural medicine were recently recognised when he was made a Life Member of Rural Health West.
Congratulations Andrew and thank you for your commitment and dedication over so many years.