This project on health related telecommunications (telehealth) in Western Australia aimed to address the lack of a suitable, economically costed communications infrastructure to support telehealth in rural and remote areas. The project used participatory action research techniques and involved extensive community consultation. This paper discusses local participation in projects that are centrally initiated and controlled.

The information gathered from this project will be used by the Department of Family and Community Services to support the development of new parenting initiatives, policies and programs relating to parenting information and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers.

There are many problems in responding to sexual assault that are unique to rural communities and impact upon rural women, such as isolation, conservatism and denial of sexual assault. Alexandra Neame and Melanie Heenan review the literature and current issues relating to sexual assault and service provision in rural communities, and draw on the experiences...

Communication and other literacy skills are vital to public safety organisations. Christine Hayes, Barry Golding and Jack Harvey investigate the impact literacy levels may have on the ability of volunteers to meet demands for more formal training and assessment. They also consider the role of these organisations in developing the skills of people in rural...

Foreword The development over the last decade of geographical classifications for Australia that describe areas in terms of relative remoteness has provided an opportunity to compare a wide range of health and welfare indicators across Australia’s major cities, regional and remote areas.