I have long held a passion for helping those who need it most. When I was 15, I attended the Mock United Nations Assembly with the Hawthorn Rotary Club and declared my personal objective “to make a difference in the world” through a medical career¹. That goal still stands true today.

I am in the early stages of my medical and research career. All my research so far has centred on women, minorities, and improving equity and access to healthcare services, particularly for those living rurally. My current research examines the barriers Indigenous women face when attempting to gain admission to medical school, with a central theme being the challenges of living rurally. I currently work two jobs to support myself while studying. In Canberra, I work before class as a phlebotomist at a fertility clinic, helping women grow their families. During semester breaks, I drive to Melbourne to work for Adult Retrieval Victoria, an organisation that coordinates inter-hospital critical care transport, ensuring patients in regional and remote areas have timely access to life-saving care. Relocating to rural NSW means I will no longer be able to continue these jobs. This scholarship would enable me to support myself while continuing my research and studies. Importantly, it would also allow me to better engage with the Bega community and contribute meaningfully as a member of the local area.

My partner spent 2025 as a long-term Bega student, and I enjoyed many weekends watching his cricket and football games, as well as participating in community events such as Bega Park Run (with our husky). When I move to Bega, I hope to immerse myself fully in the town’s sporting and social culture and connect with the local Rotary community. Financial support from this scholarship would help make that possible.

At ANU, I am deeply passionate about building a collaborative, kind, and generous culture within the medical school. When I first arrived in Canberra, I didn’t know anyone, so I started “Med Run Club” to help students across all years connect through exercise and wellbeing. To become more integrated, I also joined three different sporting teams, including rugby! As the current Women in Surgery Officer, I organise events that bring together medical women in supportive and empowering spaces. I also partnered with an Australian company to make sustainable period products more affordable for ANU medical students. Each year, I have participated in the medical school musical, which raises funds for Companion House – a charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers in accessing health and community services. I look forward to exploring similar community initiatives in and around Bega.

Being awarded this scholarship would not only help me manage my living costs but also enable me to give back to both my profession and the community I will serve. This support would help me integrate into Bega help me continue to advocate for women and underrepresented groups in both medicine and society.

I have had the privilege of calling Bega home this year, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience both personally and professionally. During my placement at South East Regional Hospital, I have rotated through surgical, medical and paediatric teams, as well as spending time with general practitioners at Pambula Medical Centre. Across these different settings, I have been struck by the dedication of the staff, the warmth of the patients and the strong sense of inclusion within the teams. These experiences have helped build my confidence and clinical skills and deepened my understanding of what it is like to work and live in a rural community. A particularly meaningful experience has been working alongside my partner in the operating room, which has given me a unique glimpse into what a shared future in rural medicine might look like.

Outside of the hospital, I have tried to embrace being part of the Bega community. I joined the Sapphire Coast Run Club and Grace Church, attend Parkrun with my dog and take part in local events including the Bega Show, the Indigenous Health Convoy and lots and lots of trivia! These experiences have allowed me to meet people outside of the hospital and become more connected to the community. They have made Bega feel much more like home and have been a big part of what has made this year so fulfilling.

The scholarship has also provided meaningful financial support throughout the year, helping to reduce the financial pressures associated with living and studying away from family. This support was particularly important during a difficult period following my grandfather’s passing, when I was able to use the scholarship funds to help cover the cost of travelling home to be with my family. During this time, I felt genuinely supported by both the hospital staff and the ANU Rural Clinical School. This experience reminded me the importance of community, particularly during difficult times.

Outside of Bega, I also had the opportunity to travel to Yuendumu, a remote Indigenous community approximately 300 km northwest of Alice Springs. It was an incredible privilege to spend time in the community and work at the local healthcare clinic. The experience was incredibly grounding and strengthened my passion of reducing healthcare barriers faced by people living in rural and remote communities.

Overall, I feel very fortunate to have had such a positive year in Bega. The support from the Rotary Club has helped alleviate financial pressures and, importantly, has allowed me to engage more fully in the community around me. I am extremely grateful for the scholarship and for the opportunity to be welcomed into such a wonderful community.