Amid Monday's lunchtime celebrations, doctors were jokingly warned they had to get back to work by 2pm.

And yesterday, the clinic was heavily booked until 8pm.

The Tristar practice has opened with three GPs but hopes to increase that to five over the next couple of months.

All three of the current doctors are internationally trained, but keen to work in Australia.

Dr Yasar Abbas studied in England, as well as his native Pakistan, and has recently been teaching international medical graduates in Melbourne while volunteering at a suburban practice.

Dr Abbas said he jumped at the opportunity to work in Swan Hill.

"Small towns are always good places to live," he said.

"(And) working in general practice is dynamite experience.

"It gives you a wonderful insight into the local community."

Dr Abbas is joined by Sri Lankan trained Dr Dominic Karunanayake, and Dr Ezekiel Ogunjobi who recently relocated from South Africa.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Guardian (November 24, 2010).