The support of the Australian Rotary Health Scholarship would allow me to engage with my clinical studies and the community in Cooma to my greatest extent. Throughout my high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies, I have always supported myself without the financial aid of my parents/family. I have maintained some level of paid work along with Centrelink Youth Allowance throughout each stage, although the time commitments required for my clinical studies are likely to make this more difficult to sustain. Without the need to rely on high amounts of paid work, I would be better positioned to get involved with the local community. This would be through my current hobbies such as cycling, skiing and music performance, as well as volunteering through community groups and in additional placements within my clinical studies. Whilst I try not to define myself by the adverse experiences I have faced, I recognise that my background may be considered different from the stereotypical Medical Student. … I continued to take part in my community before moving to Canberra, such as through playing charity performances and volunteering at events such as the 2018 Ironman triathlon.

During 2020, I moved in with my partner’s family (three months into our relationship), as I was notable to live in my on-campus residence during the early stages of the COVID pandemic and my main source of income at that point was working at sport and live music events.  I was able to maintain my studies and finish my undergraduate with a Chancelor’s Commendation due to my performance in that year. I also continued multiple volunteer roles at my residential college. I believe that these experiences demonstrate my ability to perform under pressure, a critical skill for my ongoing medical studies. Whilst I am still keeping an open mind as my training continues, these experiences coupled with my studies up to this point have led to my interest in Rural Generalist fields such as Emergency, GP, and Drug and Alcohol work.

I see these areas as a way of marrying technical skill with my desire to help those who are often stigmatised, and making the most of the opportunities I have been granted to give back through a meaningful career.