Our history
More than 25 years of working alongside rural, regional and remote communities.
Where it all began
Our story began in 2001 in the communities of Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri, where access to local doctors was becoming increasingly difficult.
Rural doctors and communities came together with a simple but important goal: find a sustainable way to keep healthcare available locally.
From that collaboration, Rural and Remote Medical Services — RARMS — was born. Its first medical practice opened in Lightning Ridge in late 2001, followed by Walgett in 2002.
Community has been part of our story ever since.
Changing with our communities
2020 marked a new chapter in our story, when Rural and Remote Medical Services became The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia.
Our new name reflected something we had learned through decades of working alongside communities: healthy communities need more than healthcare.
Today, our work spans health, wellbeing, community services and research. We work alongside communities and partners to listen, learn, bring people together and tackle the things that matter locally.
But the purpose that started our story remains at the heart of what we do:
To provide the best health care as close to home as possible.
Our story continues
More than 25 years after RARMS began, the Foundation continues to evolve — responding to changing needs, building new partnerships and finding new ways to help people and places thrive.
Our name has changed. Our work has grown. But communities remain at the heart of it.
Read more about the Foundation now.