'Doctors for Holbrook' website launched by Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton

Frustrated by the ongoing shortfall, Cr Wilton has personally led and funded the marketing project.

Benefits of working in the community and contact details are included at the website 'doctorsforholbrook.com.au', which will be promoted widely.

In the last year the shire has been reduced to just one doctor with VMO rights, but Cr Wilton said that had added to a long-running issue.

"This came about because of our lack of doctors, especially those with VMO rights who can visit the hospital," she said.

"We are down to two doctors servicing two clinics, in Holbrook and Walla.

"The current practice is trying to attract doctors who are qualified in that area.

"We're just not getting any response and it was very disappointing for many people.

"I've thought of different strategies and this was a new approach to try."

Kathleen Atkinson of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District said in February that there was "a statewide and countrywide shortage of doctors in these smaller rural areas".

"Many of the vacancies are taken by doctors who come from overseas," she said.

Cr Wilton said Jan Reddy, working as the only VMO in the shire, was doing "his absolute best" and the load needed to be lessened.

"I'd be interested in a model where we share responsibility right around the shire, so maybe one doctor is the VMO for the whole week, and another week a different doctor takes it on, for instance," she said.

"If we can get enough doctors to be interested, I think that would be a viable option.

"I hope it tweaks some interest and if it isn't a doctor, it might be somebody who knows a doctor."

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Cr Wilton said the region had a lot to offer.

"Holbrook is in the name, but I'd be welcoming people interested in any town in our shire," she said.

"We don't live remotely, but some of them have only ever lived in Melbourne or Sydney and think we're out at the back of Bourke.

"We have a different lifestyle and we are a community that they can become apart of.

"I'm wanting and hoping we can attract doctors who want to come here."

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