Clinical Professor Kane Vellar is an inaugural Rural Champion, representing Monash Modified (MM) regions 5–7.

1. Did you always know you wanted to become a doctor? 

No, not at all. I came into medicine as a post-graduate while working at the Northern Land Council, which was a bit of a safety so that when it fell apart, I had a backup plan! But it never did. I’d never really seen becoming a doctor as something possible, and it was only through the encouragement of strong mentors that I applied when Flinders Medical Program opened in the NT. I took the chance and eventually became one of eight of the original twenty-four students to graduate—and one of only four who have stayed.

Being the first in my family to attend college, this path felt unexpected. And when I later discovered that some distant relatives were renowned Italian Australian surgeons, I felt a little easier about not being out of place and a belief that I could do it.

2. What inspired you to choose psychiatry as a specialisation?

I was drawn to psychiatry out of a deep curiosity about the human condition—how people think, feel, cope, and make sense of their lives. It’s a privileged position to witness vulnerability, sadness, and sorrow, to sit with patients and families on some of their hardest days, and simply listen.

My own life experiences, along with the people I’ve met along the way, have shaped this path. Psychiatry allows me to combine curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to serving others. It is always challenging, humbling, and rewarding, and I feel very lucky to be able to do this as a job I choose.

3. As well as the Iced-Coffee-Prime-Minister-photo, what’s one career highlight that is permanently etched in your memory?

Working rurally is really the overall highlight as the opportunities are boundless. Professionally, I have been able to establish a new psycho-oncology clinic within our cancer care services and it is a great privilege to support people through their cancer journey.”

“On a personal level, and as a rurally trained psychiatrist, being recognised with a RANZCP scholarly project award was an unexpected honour and showed that innovations in practice can directly impact the people we serve, regardless of our geographical location.

4. If you were talking with a RANZCP trainee or Fellow who was contemplating moving to a rural location, what would you say?

I’d say it’s an incredible opportunity and one that you would never regret.  The support from supervisors in rural settings in my experience has been a major advantage—seeking out those who provide mentorship, encourage and help you realise your potential.

“Funding support through Specialist Training Positions takes away some of the cost burdens, and there’s a lot of flexibility to shape your own training path—choosing innovative areas, such as palliative care in my case, or taking on teaching and research opportunities.

Rural services offer an opportunity to truly develop breadth of practice in clinical work. In my rural outreach role, I have the privilege of working closely with Aboriginal communities, there’s some interesting air travel to work at times in amongst tropical thunderstorms, there’s the privilege of practicing in places where you can develop and maintain connections

Working in NT Health across multiple roles as a Staff Specialist in rural outreach psychiatry, palliative care and psycho-oncology; he is also keenly involved in medical education and teaching—as a Clinical Professor within the CDU Menzies Medical Program at Charles Darwin University in Darwin. Recently, Clinical Professor Vellar was appointed to Chair of the RANZCP Committee for Examinations.

Focusing on a broad rural generalist experience, he says the Northern Territory is a great place to live and practice psychiatry, appreciating the uniqueness it offers. 

“Remote travel and the ability to build family connections in remote Aboriginal communities means your continuity of care can help with shame, stigma and a community’s engagement with mental health services over time,” Clinical Professor Vellar notes.

“There is a variety of opportunities available to trainees or Fellows in a rural location, which are unparalleled elsewhere in Australia.”

The first Aboriginal doctor to graduate from the Flinders University NT Medical Program, Clinical Professor Vellar was the first specialist to be wholly trained in the Northern Territory. Reflecting on the importance of training and practising in rural and remote settings, which strengthens generalist expertise and skills, he says:

“Rural psychiatry teaches doctors the value of humility and learning from colleagues, patients and families. You are a part of a broader team that has a genuine connection with communities and the families we serve. Your work reminds you daily of why you entered medicine.” 

Rural Champions is a RANZCP Rural Psychiatry Training Pathways initiative, that seeks to create and promote a positive rural and generalist Fellowship culture across the RANZCP membership.