Bringing health professionals back to the bush, HealthWISE and Gwydir Cotton Growers Association (CGA) have awarded three Moree and Gwydir students with $22,000 to support their university studies.
For two decades, the Dr William Hunter scholarship and a variety of Gwydir CGA scholarships have helped health students complete their studies, with the shared goal of building the local health sector.
“There are no words to describe how much of a difference this scholarship has made and the opportunities it has given me,” Dr William Hunter scholarship winner Kristen Rogers said. After a year of health struggles, she said the funds made it possible for her to commit to full-time study.
“We were impressed by her love of nursing and her dedication to her vocation as well as her community,” scholarship namesake Dr Hunter said.
An assistant in nursing at the Bingara Multi-Purpose Service for the past eight years, Kristen is working towards becoming a registered nurse, studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of New England. Dr Hunter encouraged Kristen’s ambitions, and said the Moree health service relies on several registered nurses who first trained as assistants.
“I am beyond excited to bring more registered nurses to these beautiful country towns. I really hope I can make you all proud,” Kristen said.
The first person in her family to attend university, Moree local Mikala Bearman was awarded a $2,000 Dr William Hunter encouragement scholarship. Mikala is passionate about rural mental health care, and can see herself working in schools with Indigenous students. She is completing a Bachelor of Counselling at Southern Cross University while working as Campus Coordinator at Community College Northern Inland’s Moree Campus.
“Going into such a rewarding and fulfilling career can allow me to help people in rural and remote areas,” she said. Mikala also hopes her experience will inspire other rural people to consider university and recognise that there is more than one path to higher education.
Gwydir CGA Healthy Communities winner James Nolan shared his story growing up in Moree, dealing with long waits and expensive travel to ensure his sister had the care she needed for cystic fibrosis.
“I have firsthand knowledge of the difficulties facing families in rural and remote communities, and I want to bring some of those health services to those in need in country areas,” he said.
James is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University, and hopes to one day open a mobile practice in the Moree region, specialising in neurodiverse paediatrics. Gwydir CGA committee member Liam Winter said the interview panel was impressed by James’ end goals and commitment to his community.
“My aim is to service a broad area, helping regional and remote children achieve the best that they can, especially in their important earlier years of life,” James said.
“HealthWISE is honoured to be supporting the Dr William Hunter scholarship and the Gwydir Valley Cotton Industries Healthy Communities scholarship, and thereby strengthening community capacity for improved health and wellbeing,” HealthWISE Barwon Health Alliance program manager Susanne Kable said.
The non-profit took on the Dr William Hunter scholarship last year as part of their Barwon Health Alliance program, which was developed to continue the work of the Barwon Health Alliance Inc, a former support network and nonprofit association for Barwon health professionals.
The Gwydir Cotton Growers Association has offered a range of medical scholarships over the past 25 years with the aim of encouraging current and future health professionals in the region, including the Healthy Community scholarship, which supports Warialda, Bingara, Moree and Collarenebri health students.
