Kimberley perfect tonic for ex-Docker

A retired Fremantle Dockers champion has cut himself his own little slice of paradise by moving to Broome with his family, but it isn’t all palm trees and sandy beaches for the WA sporting legend.

Luke McPharlin packed up and began his new life in the Kimberley last month, spending his days working as a pharmacist and his time off exploring the area with wife Amelia and children Willow and Bronte.

But life is far from quiet or monotonous for the 256-gamer, whose work quickly opened his eyes up to the health challenges faced in the region.

Working full-time at Kimberley Pharmacy Services, McPharlin gets the opportunity to travel to rural and remote communities to supply medicine and play a role in combating ongoing medical issues.

McPharlin told the Broome Advertiserit had been a big cultural change from what he was used to in Perth but he had immersed himself in the job.

“It was pretty confronting to see the real challenges up here and it’s important, as a health professional, to see if there are things that can be done to mitigate the issues,” he said.

“I’ve only been here six weeks and its been a fairly steep learning curve, but I’m hoping to combine my role as a pharmacist with my experience as a footy player to focus on the role I can have in the men’s health space.”

McPharlin said Broome offered the perfect lifestyle for him and his family.

“We always had the intention to do something different and after wrapping up footy and my university degree we had nothing tying us down to Perth for the first time,” he said. “It’s a great place to move with the family, there is so much to do, especially experiences with nature.

“As a parent, it’s great to see the kids chasing after crabs and frogs and taking them away from the TV.”

And while his legacy will remain centred on his 16 years of AFL football, McPharlin said he had no plans to play for a senior side in the West Kimberley Football League.