A viral music video created to lure a general practitioner to the town of Temora, in the New South Wales Riverina, has paid off.
Sheraz Mumtaz has taken up the long-sought position as the town's newest GP, relocating with his family from Perth.
Created in 2019, Temora's Great Quack Quest combined a catchy tune with dancing from many members of the local community.
"Everyone is so excited that I'm here, which is really strange. I feel like a mini-celebrity," Dr Mumtaz said.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr Mumtaz came across the video and was taken aback.
"It was a bit weird," Dr Mumtaz said, "it was a bit strange".
"When my wife, the kids and I were looking to move to Australia, we wanted somewhere safe with good schooling. I put a message out on a doctors' group.
"Somebody put the YouTube link to the Great Quack Quest."
He thought the town showcased itself confidently.
How do you get a doctor to the regions?
There is a shortage of doctors in regional Australia and Dr Mumtaz was at a loss as to why.
"It's a tricky question, and I think it comes down to personal reasons," he said.
He said a welcoming place was necessary for him and his family, because he has no other relatives in Australia.
"We value community. Our values align with the town's values, and it became a natural choice for us," he said.
Rachel Christmas is associate GP at Temora Medical Complex and was part of the team behind the video.
"I knew it was going to take quite a long time to get someone," Dr Christmas said.
While a music video was the hook for Dr Mumtaz, Dr Christmas acknowledged that the medical landscape has changed over the past three years.
"The trouble is that it's not just a shortage of GPs in country areas, there's even a shortage in city areas," she said.
