New Zealand-born doctor Ivan Srzich relocated to Orange last week with his wife Michelle Harper and their three daughters after working in Broken Hill for two years.

Dr Srzich has taken on the role of clinical director for old age psychiatry which will operate out of the new hospital from November.

“It’s a new role and it’s a mix of clinical work and service development,” Dr Srzich said.

“The specialty itself is great.

“Old people are great, they’re nice to work with and it’s an interesting field.

“Technologically it’s also developing and it’s a growth industry with an ageing population.”

Dr Srzich said he decided to relocate the family to Australia after working as a locum in Broken Hill in March 2007.

“We were looking to travel and do something different,” he said.

“One of the attractions of coming (to Orange) was it was a bit closer to civilisation and the opportunity to work in a new hospital was great.”

Ms Harper said Orange’s food and wine, schools and proximity to Sydney made it a great place to live.

“It’s a good-sized town,” she said.

“We come from Auckland which is a pretty big city.

“I like being in a smaller town, people tend to be quite friendly.

“It seems to be easier to meet people.”

Twenty new nursing graduates also began their one year placements at Bloomfield Hospital this week and the Greater Western Area Health Service hopes they will stay on when the new hospital opens.

Nine of 12 graduates from the 2009 intake have also chosen to stay in Orange.