I have lived my whole life on the outskirts of Canberra on farms. I associate my childhood with shearing, mustering, riding horses and working hard. Since studying at university, I am not able to engage with this part of my life as much as I used to. I still live on a small hobby farm that my family rents from a close friend.  My dad runs sheep in Yass and my Mum runs a village post office in Hall, ACT.

I describe myself as rural and have never lived in town long term. Next year in Cowra will be my first me living in a town centre, even if it is smaller than Canberra and away from home. I am incredibly lucky that I have spent more me on a horse than I have walking and have missed this dearly as I work to support myself through medical school. The one day I get to work means that I reallocate study me to other nights and as a result have chosen to let my horse riding go to the wayside. However, I am incredibly lucky to work as a medical receptionist in Murrumbateman, NSW at a private psychiatry clinic called the Murrumbateman Specialist Centre. I have worked at this practice for going on three years now and spent 2021 working full time until moving to casual as medical school began. At the practice at which I work the doctors provide services to mainly patients from rural areas who are unable to access care near their homes.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, my parents are unable to financially support me, which means my bills, food, car and school supplies are all self-funded on an income of one day work and AusStudy payments. Despite this financial pressure, from my job at Murrumbateman Specialist Centre I can be a part of a community, whether it is waving at everyone I know on the road, visiting Dee at the local takeaway, seeing Shane the mechanic or calling Helen a fellow receptionist- at a GP practice in Yass. I am going to miss this as I move to Cowra next year and hope that with the support of the Rotary Scholarship, I may be able to reallocate some
of my work me to community me by joining a local sport team, going to the Cowra show or to the Young Cherry festival. I would love the opportunity to be able to be er immerse myself into life in Cowra without the daunting financial pressure of paying my bills.

This week is my six month anniversary of living in Cowra and it has been a wonderful experience so far. I have been working so very much that I am yet to meet the generous Rotary team in Cowra yet and am hoping to make the time soon.

My typical week consists of placement on four days and one day of teaching in Young. I state with my placements at Cowra District Hospital in the emergency department, maternity, ward or with the allied health team. The other main place I am at is in the Kendal Street Medical Practice working with any of the amazing GP’s that are there. I have had the opportunity to meet lots of Cowra residents of all ages in consults and have even been recognised on one of the community boards on Facebook by a patient which was a lovely experience. I was also able to participate in the Cowra park run but unfortunately with family commitments and lots of travel with study to Young, I have been unable to attend.

The learning curve from medical theory to clinical practice has been very large but I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn from so many lovely doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in Cowra. I have particularly enjoyed my time in surgery and in helping with the maternity patients. I really enjoy obstetrics and like the experience of supporting women through the trials of labour and becoming a parent. It has been a pleasure to learn from the amazing GP Obstetrician’s in Cowra, including Dr Louise Baker, Dr Davi Richmond, Dr Ariana Arulampalam and Dr Kaitlin Andrews. They have all been so kind to offer such wonderful advice and teaching during my first six months here in Cowra.

I have loved being in Cowra and the slower paced life of the country is a great experience. I particularly enjoyed attending the ANZAC Dawn service and the Harmony Day march with fete. It is so uplifiting to be a part of such a close knit community even if for a short time like this year. The patients and health issues in this area are difficult at times, and frustrating – especially with the shortage of doctors and immense strain on the health system here in Cowra. But despite these difficulties I have been enjoying the learning and becoming a part of the Cowra community. I cannot thank the Rotary cub enough for their scholarship as without it I wouldn’t have been able to fix my car when it needed repair in the start of the year. I am grateful for the financial support and hope that I can encourage future students to apply for a wonderful opportunity especially as it has helped me to focus on my study with a little less financial stress.