About the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research

The Centre was established in December 2019 following a $3 million investment from the VV Marshman Charitable Trust.

The investment by the Trustees was one of the largest donations in La Trobe University’s history.

We are undertaking world-class studies aimed at narrowing the gulf between metropolitan health outcomes and those in regional, rural and remote areas.

“For almost every health indicator, the disparities between metropolitan and rural health are striking,” says Professor Jane Mills. “Rates of chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer are higher in rural communities. So too are mental health issues and rate of suicides.”

Our researchers are co-partnering with rural communities to address these challenges, build an evidence-base, prioritise initiatives and translate findings into practice. All activities are underpinned by impact and translation plans and reports.

Projects occur across the lifespan and address the challenges facing a range of community groups including those with mental illness, disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, refugees and those who are homeless. Projects are connected through whole-of-system approaches to address complex and intractable rural problems.

The Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research is embedded within the La Trobe Rural Health School, the largest rural health school in Australia with over 3,000 students distributed across four regional campuses.

Our purpose

The Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research was established to narrow the gulf between metropolitan health outcomes and those in regional, rural, and remote areas.

Based in the La Trobe Rural Health School, our vision is to be a world leader in the elimination of disparities in rural health and wellbeing by facilitating high impact research that is rurally focused, collaborative and pragmatic.

We define rural as being outside of a major Australian metropolitan city and are proud to work with communities and partners throughout the country and globally. We are distinctive for being entirely focused on making a difference, and for putting the needs of rural communities at the forefront of our work.

Our vision

To be a world leader in the elimination of disparities in rural health and wellbeing by facilitating high impact research that is:

Rurally focused

We focus on the issues for people living outside of metropolitan areas acknowledging that experiences of rural life are geographically, economically, environmentally, sociologically, and culturally diverse.

Collaborative

We work together with our rural communities using partnerships and innovative methods of co-design.

Pragmatic

We work with rural communities to address real world issues and to develop practical local solutions

Our research areas

The Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research aligns with the Australian Federal Government’s strategic priority of health and wellness.

The Federal Government has prioritised better models of health services to reduce disparities for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; manage local and regional health threats; create better health outcomes for Indigenous people and implement effective technologies to improve health.

Our Centre’s remit and activity is focused on these key priority areas:

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