It was only when I moved from my hometown on the Mid North Coast to Canberra for my university studies that I truly realised and appreciated the incredible sense of community that rural places hold that just can’t be replicated in a city environment. Growing up, I was always eager to engage in community events, whether it be to raise funds for local charities or show off the town in local events. That is one of the reasons I am so excited and grateful to be able to move to the Bega Valley next year to live, work and connect with the local community. For me, the Australian Rotary Health Rural Health Scholarship would enable me to do that in several ways.

Firstly, by being a recipient of the scholarship I would be given the opportunity to engage in local Rotary Club events to personally meet and thank the people who have gifted me with this opportunity. During all of high school I was actively engaged in my schools Rotary Interact Club and was elected as Treasurer during my final years at school. I loved volunteering with Rotary as I was able to meet and form friendships with so many people with shared interests and also raise funds for local causes that we were passionate about.

Secondly, the scholarship would be immensely appreciated to ease the financial pressure of moving to a new town and starting full time placement. As with most students, this aspect of medical school is incredibly challenging and stressful, and unfortunately comes with making sacrifices to make ends meet. The scholarship would allow me to continue my studies without an added financial burden. Finally, the scholarship would allow me to fully embrace Bega and meet and engage with the community. Moving to Bega and exploring the South Coast is something I have been wanting to do since I heard of the rural placement options 5 years ago – before I even started my medical degree. Coming from a similar coastal town (but much further north) I wanted to explore similar communities and options where I could live and work when I become a doctor. I was lucky enough to visit the region twice this year, and was amazed by the strong sense of community and friendliness of everyone I met. Next year I want to be able to engage in local community events, volunteer, and meet as many new people as I can to truly make the most out of my long-term rural year. In doing so, I also hope to give back to the local community because I already know that they will provide me with invaluable knowledge and experiences.

I am very happy to say that in the past 6 months that I have been living in Bega, I have had the most incredible time, with so many opportunities to grow and learn, while being supported by incredibly kind and friendly people. Thanks to the generous sponsors of my scholarship, I have been able to focus on taking every opportunity that comes to me, and I know the experience that I have gained in Bega will carry me far throughout my medical journey and make me a better doctor in the future.

At the start of the year my first rotation was in the Emergency Department. I won’t lie, this was incredibly daunting for me, with my first ever clinical rotation being one where you get the most independence and opportunities to do clinical skills. Although I was very nervous going to placement, I set myself little goals each day and slowly I became more and more confident at placement. Within a few weeks I was confident in seeing a patient by myself, taking a history,
examining the patient, taking bloods, putting in cannulas, ordering necessary tests, interpreting results and talking to patients about their management and conditions, all with the supervision of the doctors of course. If you told me at the start of this year that I would be able to do all that, I wouldn’t believe you at all.

After being in the Emergency Department, I started my three-month placement in General Practice in the beautiful Tathra. This was a bit of a transition going to from a lot of hands-on activities to more observing, however, this was such an important and valuable experience as I was able to see how the different GPs talked to patients and managed medical conditions. I was able to gain different pearls of wisdom from each different doctor that I will be able to adapt into
my clinical practice in the future. One of the highlights being in general practice for me was being able to do procedural skills like skin excisions and vaccinations. I also really valued being able to see patients by myself first and being able to advocate for patients and their needs when seeing the GP with them. I am so appreciative of all the lovely patients that were willing to speak with me and help me learn. The biggest thing I gained from my General Practice placement was that it really solidified for me that after I graduate and become a doctor, I would like to pursue a career in rural general practice, as the scope of practice, relationships that you build and the difference that you can make in patient’s lives as a rural GP is so rewarding.

Aside from placements I have had the opportunity to explore the beautiful area and have my family drive all the way from Port Macquarie to come visit. I also wanted to be able to use my knowledge and time to do something for the community and inspire more young people to become rural doctors. Earlier in the year in May, I organised and delivered an information night for the community on medicine, what medicine involves and how to pursue a career in medicine, to hopefully encourage more people in the area to pursue a career in medicine and support their local community. I was incredibly lucky to have two incredible guest speakers, MP Dr Michael Holland and Dr Corin Miller, who won Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year.   The event was a huge success, and I had over 30 people attend, including 15 high school students, who later got to learn some hands-on clinical skills taught by some of my fellow medical students. Although public speaking is probably one of my biggest fears, I was so proud of myself and what I had achieved in running the event. As I said to one of my GP supervisors, even if I inspired one of those students to become a doctor, I know it will make a difference.

This year has been incredibly challenging but so exciting and I cannot wait to see what else I achieve. I would like to thank the generous sponsors who have enabled me to work to my full potential and make this a successful and positive year for growth and learning.