Dr Sarah Bird was a GP in Portishead before moving to Australia in 2008. She now works for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill, NSW. She is married to Steven Bird (OB 1988) and they have three children Emily (OB 2005-2008), Katie (OB 2005-2008) and William.

What are your best memories of BGS?

So many to choose from!  As the second year of girls to commence in 3rd form (Year 7), I loved the sporting opportunities, the breadth of subjects offered and the ancient science labs piqued my scientific curiosity. No one can pass through BGS without mentioning the magnificent Great Hall and I have fond memories of the canteen, whole-school assemblies and performances including Benjamin Britten's opera Noye’s Fludde. Golden Hill playing fields still existed and Lodge Hill was a Geography field trip fun getaway. The PA block was built and being school librarians, we met Princess Anne at the official opening. Sixth Form was the pinnacle of our school career - we were finally allowed into the Sixth Form Centre with our own common room and canteen! Above all, I met my husband and we’ve been married for over 30 years. 

Can you remember any teachers who had an impact on you?

Mr Cox, my house master, was a constant throughout my school years. I now appreciate the power of pastoral care ensuring stability and continuity. I'm truly grateful for his guidance and the leadership opportunities he gave me in my senior years. Mr Cockitt, my biology teacher and sixth form tutor, clearly saw my potential before I did. His encouragement and wise words remain with me today. Our daughters attended BGS 2005-2008 and I would occasionally bump into him. If I defaulted to calling him Mr Cockitt, he would delight in correcting me with ‘I think you can call me Ron now, Sarah’. Ian Rolling must also be mentioned. My chemistry is rusty these days but Ian was formative in the foundations and my love of the subject. He is a master of keeping in touch and only recently we caught up with Ian and his wife Jean over dinner in the Blue Mountains. There were many great teachers and mentors during my time at BGS and they are all remembered fondly. Photo of Ian Rolling, Sarah and her husband in Australia in March 2025.

What did you do after school?

I studied Medicine in Wales, spent the first year working at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport then commenced GP training in Bristol. I joined the Portishead practice as a partner in 2000, took the family to Christchurch, New Zealand for a 6-month sabbatical in 2004 and finally left the practice for Sydney, Australia in 2008.

Why medicine?

I only ever wanted to be a doctor. I found the human sciences fascinating and I was intrinsically drawn to learning about health at an individual level, using a broad lens and wide scope of practice. It’s been a privileged career offering many and often unexpected opportunities along the way. No regrets!

What motivated you to move to Australia?

As a medical student, I secured a 6-week elective in Paediatrics at the Prince of Wales Children's Hospital, Sydney and loved the experience. 

As a GP I had developed an interest in dermatology and minor surgery and in 2008, I was fortunate to be offered a position to upskill in skin cancer in Sydney. My brothers had migrated and settled there too, so we seized the opportunity to spend time with them. 

Initially we planned a 12 month experience, but we loved the outdoor lifestyle, Sydney climate and being close to family too much to leave. We became Australian citizens in 2013.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Throughout my training, I have been fortunate to have worked with, and be taught by, some of the best clinicians. I gained MRCGP with distinction despite having two very young children at home and working full time. My sabbatical in Christchurch, New Zealand enabled us as a family to explore the stunning South Island and for me to experience working in an alternative health system. 

Migrating to Australia was an exceptional opportunity allowing me to upskill in skin cancer, then lifestyle medicine and remain sufficiently flexible as a local GP in Sydney as the children grew. I am now able to add rural and remote medicine to the list. 

In 2021 following a prolonged Covid lockdown, Steven and I took a road trip to Far West NSW. We visited Broken Hill, the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and BHP, the world’s largest mining company. RFDS were seeking GPs to deliver primary care to rural and remote communities and I was offered a role to lead the GP team. Never one to turn down an adventure, Steven and I moved to Broken Hill for 12 months. I enjoyed the challenges of recruiting and developing the GP team while managing complex primary care alongside the tyranny of distance and limited services. I now fly to work for 3 weeks then fly home to Sydney for 3 weeks. 

What’s next for you?

Working with RFDS has enabled leadership opportunities in supervising medical students, GP registrars, team building, medical education and upskilling in rural and remote medicine. Delivering primary care where it’s needed the most remains my priority. Outside of RFDS, I’m an advisor for the local Clinical Council and write Health Pathways for GPs to follow localised guidelines for clinical care. I'm also a regional Medical Educator for GP registrars throughout their training, exams and preparation for independent practice.

This year I’ve been extremely fortunate to be selected for the Royal Australian College of General Practice Future Leaders Program and am working with inspirational individuals both within my cohort and the alumni. I have no idea where this will take me but the future is exciting!

What motivates you?

I'm motivated by delivering good quality, evidence based primary care to individuals living rurally and remotely. Far West NSW experiences geographical isolation, low socio-economic status, high chronic disease and mental health challenges on the background of long term healthcare underservicing. This is not unique to the region, much of rural and remote Australia suffers the same where life expectancy is significantly reduced for both Indigenous and non Indigenous patients. 

How do you relax?

We now have two grandchildren and we love spending time with the family. I enjoy walking, yoga, pilates, reading, coffee with friends and travelling - not necessarily in that order!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

As an 18 year old, if you had told me in 35 years time I would be living in Australia with 3 children, 2 grandchildren and working with the RFDS in the outback, I would have never believed you. Just don’t say no to opportunities and follow your passion - look where it’s taken us!