General News
11 February, 2026
Notable learning space
JAMES Cook University medical students have begun studying in a new purpose-built facility in Cairns, marking a milestone for medical training in the Far North.
Fourth-year students reported this week to The Yeinie Building, which is now home to JCU’s medicine and other health disciplines in the city.
The Yeinie Building, named by Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country elders, is alongside Cairns Hospital, placing students close to the clinical services where they undertake professional placements.
While staff moved into the facility late last year, this week marks the first time medicine students are being taught in the building.
A total of 76 fourth-year students have started study, including 41 who have relocated from Townsville and 35 who have completed all their studies to date in Cairns.
JCU clinical school head (Cairns) Dr Aileen Traves said the move represented a major change for students, who had not previously had a dedicated teaching space close to the hospital.
“It’s really exciting to be in this new building,” Dr Traves said.
“We’ve had fourth-year medical students here since 2011 but they haven’t ever had a sort of dedicated teaching space.
Fourth-year student Aoife Puri said the move gave students a sense of belonging they had not had before.
“This building is the first time that we’ve been able to have our own place just for us,” she said.
“It feels really special and we’re going to be with the other fourth, fifth and sixth years as well, so it feels like we’re studying medicine all together as one for once.”
Ms Puri said the new facilities were a significant step up from previous campuses.
“The way that they’ve done this downstairs area is kind of like a fake ward, so we have practical learning on every level,” she said. “Everything they’ve done with the equipment is so high tech, nothing compared to what we’ve had for the past few years.”
Fourth-year student Christopher Messina said the building would support the shift to more hands-on learning.
“The first three years of the degree have been pretty much textbook-focused,” he said.
“Now the second half of the degree will be a lot more practical, a lot more hands-on, so it’s really exciting.”
Student Charlize Harris said the central location next to Cairns Hospital would help prepare students for clinical work.
“Having these buildings and rooms is amazing, because it’s just getting us ready for the hospital,” she said.
“So, once we go in there, we can just practice our skills rather than learn them.”
