Dr Marian Dover
Director | Kununurra
About Marian
Dr Marian Dover is a rural generalist who has recently moved to Kununurra in Western Australia.
Prior to this move she was based in Port Macquarie, New South Wales and was busy sharing her time as an Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics GP and Visiting Medical Officer across Bellingen, Dorrigo, Gloucester, Taree, Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Hospitals.
Marian has been on the Board of Rural Doctors Association of Australia and acted in the role of Chair for the Rural Doctors Australian Association Doctors in training group.
“I am dedicated to assisting and advocating for rural doctors and rural communities to ensure all in Australia have the same health equity.”
- Dr Marian Dover
Marian's Journey
Marian was city born and raised but came to fall in love with rural and remote Australia through positive, prolonged exposure to rural training as a student. Marian is now an advocate and leader in rural medicine, and very passionate about providing access to care and support for our rural communities and their doctors.
Her passions are in doctor well-being, promotion of rural generalist careers, building a sustainable workforce, and improving access to rural birthing for communities across Australia
As a young doctor having worked across New South Wales and now gaining experience from working in northern Western Australia, Marian brings a new perspective to the discussions around the Rural Doctors Foundation Board table.
She is a prolific on social media and has recently received her ACRRM fellowship.
Marian's Qualifications
Awards, Honours, and Accolades
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Clinical Science
Charles Sturt University
National Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health
Family Planning Australia
Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Fellow
Australian College Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Registrar of the Year 2024
Australian College Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
A calling beyond borders: Why Dr Marian Dover believes in rural medicine
Jaide Vidafar, one of our volunteers jumped at the chance to interview Dr Marian Dover. About to embark on her first year at Griffith University in medicine, Jaide was impressed by Marian’s resume, her advocacy and her numerous achievements. After chatting with Marian, Jaide is inspired to go rural.
When Dr Marian Dover chose rural healthcare, she wasn’t just taking a job—she was answering a call to serve where it matters most. Born in Egypt and raised in Australia, Marian grew up with an acute awareness of what it’s like to lack access to essential healthcare. Today, as a Rural Generalist in Kununurra, a remote yet vibrant town in Western Australia, Marian works tirelessly to address rural health disparities. Her story reminds us that rural healthcare is about more than medicine—it’s about equity, connection, and purpose.
The stark realities of rural healthcare
For Marian, the motivation to work in rural healthcare stems from confronting harsh truths. “The differences in life expectancy and chronic disease rates between rural and metropolitan areas are shocking,” she shares.
Maternity care, a particular passion for Marian, reveals the deepening crisis. “Since 1990, we’ve lost 50% of rural maternity units, and the number of women giving birth before reaching hospital has tripled. That’s unacceptable,” she explains. These closures, she says, often result from decisions made by those disconnected from rural life. “It’s easier to close a unit than to invest in solutions that we know work. But rural communities deserve better.”
Her words highlight a fundamental principle: rural Australians matter.
Why Kununurra? A career that comes full circle.
Marian moved to Kununurra for the opportunity to practise to her full potential as a Rural Generalist and the chance to engage deeply with Indigenous healthcare.
One of the myths Marian challenges about rural life is isolation. “In the city, you can go unnoticed. But in rural areas, you form tight bonds with your colleagues and patients,” she explains.
This teamwork extends to the operating room. “When I’m performing a caesarean, the GP anaesthetist knows the look on my face when I’m under pressure. The nurses anticipate what I need before I ask. That kind of connection creates incredible efficiency and trust. It’s rare to find that in bigger hospitals.”
This sense of camaraderie and shared purpose is the backbone of rural healthcare. “We band together as a team and a community. It’s not just rewarding—it’s a privilege.”
“In Kununurra, I practise the full scope of my training—I deliver babies, manage emergencies, and run remote clinics. It’s incredibly fulfilling,” she says. Her work spans an area the size of Victoria, supported by a tight-knit team of 15 doctors, including two other GP obstetricians. “We don’t have everything—a physio, for example, is only available via telehealth—but we make it work. And that’s rewarding.”
Building a healthier future for rural communities
As a board member of the Rural Doctors Foundation, Marian champions programs like GPs4RuralDocs, which ensure healthcare providers in rural areas can access care without leaving their communities for days at a time.
“Caring for those who care for others is critical,” she says. The program brings GPs directly to rural doctors and nurses, offering continuity through telehealth follow-ups. “It’s practical, and it works. Initiatives like this keep healthcare workers healthy and, by extension, keep entire communities healthy.”
Marian’s vision for the Foundation is to see such programs expand nationally. “Rural communities contribute billions to Australia’s economy. They deserve the infrastructure and services to thrive.”
Overcoming challenges: It’s about solutions, not excuses
Marian acknowledges that rural healthcare faces significant hurdles—limited infrastructure, childcare shortages, and employment options for partners, to name a few. In Kununurra Marian’s husband is unable to work for three years due to a lack of childcare options.
But she also believes many of these barriers can be addressed with commitment and investment. “We need infrastructure that supports families, like reliable childcare and quality schooling, to encourage more doctors to go rural. At the same time, we must challenge myths about rural isolation. The reality is far more connected, supportive, and fulfilling.”
Marian’s story is a testament to the profound impact and fulfilment that rural medicine offers. It’s about addressing inequities, strengthening communities, and working alongside teams that become family.
For doctors considering this path, Marian’s message is clear: “Rural medicine challenges you, rewards you, and gives you a deep sense of purpose. The work matters because the people matter.”
Support of our critical work whether through donations, advocacy, or spreading awareness, your involvement helps ensure healthcare professionals like Dr Marian Dover can continue to make a difference.
Growing up across the Cape with a single mother who served as a nurse, Jaide Vidafar developed a profound respect for healthcare from a young age. Now an aspiring doctor, Jaide is passionate about improving healthcare accessibility in rural and remote communities.