Since commencing my medical student journey, I have been fortunate to engage in multi-day rural experiences in Bathurst through Western Sydney University’s Rural Program. I have had the opportunity to volunteer at different community events such as community health checks at the Royal Bathurst Show and Bathurst 500. Through these community engagements, I was able to immerse myself in the local community. I also participated in the WSU Rural Health Club’s School Outreach Trip in 2022, whereby we demonstrated medical and allied health skills to high school students in Bathurst to provide an insight into health career options. I really enjoyed this experience as it gave me an insight into the community-oriented mindset of the staff and students at Bathurst Clinical School.

The lifestyle differences between Bathurst and Sydney attracted me to the rural environment – I really enjoyed the tight-knit nature of the community. Engaging with both the clinical and community aspects of Bathurst as a medical student has inspired me to complete my final two years in medical school at Bathurst.

I anticipate that living away from home for the first time may be a difficult adjustment as I won’t be able to continue with my current job. The financial assistance provided by the scholarship would alleviate the burden of accommodation, and other living expenses. By reducing the time I will need to spend working, I will have the opportunity to spend more time involving myself within the Bathurst community and the Rural Clinical School.

Having grown up in Penrith, I have been fortunate to be both supported by and involved in my local parish community. Through the good examples set by both my family and community leaders, I have learned the importance of values such as inclusivity, honesty, and respect. I have had the pleasure of working with my former high school as a mentor to help instil these values upon high school students, so as to benefit the community into the future.  These principles have shaped my community-oriented attitude and underlie my desire to engage with my new community when I move to Bathurst.

I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from Rotary in the past. In 2019, I was very generously supported to attend the National Youth Science Forum. This experience was incredibly useful for me, as it both fostered my passion for medicine and stimulated my engagement with Rotary. Attending Rotary meetings allowed me to witness first-hand the positive changes Rotary brings about in individuals and communities alike, and so it would be an honour to have their ongoing support for my studies in Bathurst.

In conclusion, the Australian Rotary Health Rural Health Scholarship will be incredibly beneficial in easing the financial burden I anticipate facing with my relocation to Bathurst next year. With reduced financial pressures, I will have more time to actively engage with the community.

This year has been a pivotal year for me both personally and professionally, and my experiences in rural and regional health would not have been possible without the assistance of Australian Rotary Health.

In my cohort at the Bathurst Rural Clinical School, almost all students come from non-rural or regional backgrounds, and this year was our first experience with healthcare in a regional setting and regional life more broadly. Happily, almost all of us are staying on for an additional year next year. From conversations with other healthcare students across our district of Western NSW, I find that this is a common experience most students have. This is undoubtedly a reflection of the tremendous amount of support we receive from the Rural Clinical School, clinicians, the wider community, and Australian Rotary Health all of whom have invested in us personally and professionally. Personally, I feel like the opportunities I have had in the regional community and from speaking with clinicians have solidified my desire to become a regional junior medical officer.

One of the highlights of this year was attending a medical conference organised by the local health district. Meeting medical students and senior clinicians who are senior to me from across the district allowed me to hear their reflections on their regional experiences. The support and encouragement described by them reassured me that working in a regional setting offers a distinct and positive experience compared to large metropolitan centres.

Above all, the warmth and appreciation we have received from the community has been truly heartening. For example, the Bathurst Regional Council organised a welcome dinner for use (photo attached) which allowed us to meet and greet members of the community. Furthermore, Bathurst is a lively town which is full of activity. The support from Australian Rotary Health has helped me engage in community events such as the Bathurst 12 hour (car race) and the Royal Bathurst Show along with regular pub nights, trivia nights and pool competitions. I also had the chance to attend events like the Mudgee Farm Field Days which I was able to bring my family to as well.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the regional community which has solidified my decision to pursue a career as a regional clinician, all thanks to the support from Australian Rotary Health. Thank you for your ongoing support and for making this journey possible.

FINAL REFLECTION

2024 was my first complete year of regional placement and it was a period of significant professional and personal growth. I completed my rotations at Bathurst Base Hospital, which was large enough to offer a range of professional experiences while being intimate enough that it allowed me to form a close working relationship with many of the staff.  The patient demographics in Bathurst and its surrounding areas were notably different from those in metropolitan hospitals. This difference offered me a unique and valuable learning experience in terms of serving regional populations. Additionally, my placement at Orange Base Hospital, which has a significant psychiatry and oncology service, helped me broaden my clinical exposure and skill set.

On a personal level, relocating to Bathurst was a major transition. However, it turned out to be an exciting adventure, filled with memorable experiences such as living with fellow students, participating in pub trivia, and exploring nearby villages. This helped me realise the benefits of practicing regionally in the balance it offers for professional and personal development. The scholarship by Rotary Health helped me focus more on building strong relationships in the community.

Looking Ahead to 2025

I have chosen to continue my journey in Bathurst in 2025. However, my first rotation took me to Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital, which was starkly different to Bathurst. However, I noticed there were many patients transferred from the Central West for tertiary level services. It was particularly insightful to observe how rural and regional patients navigate care in a metropolitan tertiary hospital far from home with unique challenges in terms of accessing services and having a support network.

Following my rotation at RPA, I will return to Bathurst to complete the rest of my year. I look forward to further strengthening my clinical expertise in a regional setting while continuing to contribute to the local community. This year will be another step forward in my professional journey, reinforcing my passion for regional and rural medicine and patient-cantered care.

I want to thank Australian Rotary Health for the immense support they offer rural health students. I think this initiate is massively needed and helpful, especially when there are workforce shortages in regional areas.