My name is Oscar Power, and I am a medical student at ANU, entering my third year in 2026. I am part of the long-term rural program and am very excited to be living in Bega next year. Firstly, I want to thank you for the opportunity to apply for the Australian Rotary Rural Health Scholarship, and all individuals involved in the administration and management of this program. This scholarship is an incredible initiative that I know will significantly help myself or other students in several ways. I have always admired the work of the Rotary organisation and am excited about the opportunity to connect further with the community and its members.

Many factors led to me choosing to apply for the rural stream. One of the most important factors to me was for my education. The rural stream is highly regarded for providing students with great clinical exposure and experience, and this is something I value significantly. I am also very eager to live rurally next year, and I plan to long term. I grew up rurally and loved every aspect of living in a small country town, with a strong sense of community. I am excited to feel this sense of community again when I live in Bega, and plan to involve myself as much as I can. I am especially looking forward to joining the local footy team, volunteering, and heading down to the beautiful Sapphire Coast to fish or surf.

I am however aware that next year will come with its challenges. Third year is regarded by many ANU students as the most difficult of the degree, with a big adjustment to placements and a heavy workload. I expect this to be more so in the rural stream, with isolation from Canberra students and longer travel times playing a part. I believe having to balance the challenges of third year with the already present financial pressures of studying medicine will be difficult. I currently work part time and am concerned that this will take more essential time away from my studies in third year.

While I will endeavour to find a balance between working to support myself and finding time to study on top of placement, the opportunity to have additional financial support is very enticing. I will be able to use the time I would otherwise spend working to further dedicate myself to studying or involving myself further with the community – overall maximising my rural experience.

Thus, I believe The Rotary scholarship would help ease the financial pressure of studying medicine, and further provide me with the best possible practical experience while I complete my rural year. Overall, this will contribute to improving my skills in rural and general medicine and allow me to provide the best care I can to the community both as a student, and as a future rural doctor. Furthermore, I will have more opportunity to involve myself in the community, with the footy club and Rotary activities.