Since pursuing Medicine, I have established a few objectives for myself which I will stay true to my career as a qualified medical practitioner. The first is that I will ensure to always dedicate part of my working career to bettering the quality of and access to health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This is of course influenced by the inequities my own family has faced and those of my Indigenous friends’ families as well. I continue to stay in touch with the health issues that exist in remote communities through my involvement with societies like the Rural Allied Health and Medical Society and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association and I would like to extend this involvement to speak on issues and inspiring future Indigenous doctors.

Secondly, I would like to complete a rural placement in an Indigenous community. Not only would I gain valuable skills and experience due to the lack of health practitioners, I would have an opportunity to establish a strong relationship with the people of the community and work to re-gain their trust in the health system which has been degraded generation to generation. i understand that having a compassionate and understanding doctor in these communities is so incredibly important to creating better health outcomes of our people.

Further to a rural placement, I would like to practice back home in my regional area, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie or surrounding areas. It is really important to me that I go back to where I was raised and bring fresh knowledge and expertise wherever it is needed. Additionally, in every location worked I would gain valuable insight into the specific health needs of that community and adapt. I would think that my placements are studying in Sydney and then hopefully a rural location would prepare me well for this placement.

I have taken a specific interest in Obstetrics which may change during the course of my study as I am not limiting myself , however, I am very interested in having a had in facilitation the practice of ‘birthing in country’ which allows Indigenous women to have their babies on land where they feel comfortable and around their loved ones.

I would like to work in rural and regional areas where I can create good relationships and connection with the patients in that community and hopefully inspire the youth in those areas to also give back.

I am writing to update you on my progress and express gratitude for the generous scholarship you have provided, which has been instrumental in supporting my pursuit of a medical education.

Over the recent holidays, I had the privilege of participating in a rural placement that allowed me to actively contribute to prenatal and antenatal clinics. This experience was immensely enriching as it involved taking measurements of the mothers’ uterus, performing ultrasounds, and observing routine injections for newborns a few weeks after birth. The exposure to diverse medical scenarios during this placement has significantly broadened my perspective and reinforced my passion for medicine.

I am pleased to update you that I have successfully completed my second year of medical studies and am now entering the challenging but rewarding third year. This phase requires an increased commitment to hospital placements, and I am currently spending three days a week at a clinical placement. This term, I am particularly excited to be attending an HIV and sexual health clinic, where I recently had the opportunity to take my first lot of bloods —a skill I have eagerly anticipated learning.

I am proud to share that I have successfully passed all my phase 1 exams, and this achievement is a testament to the dedication and support provided by scholarships like yours. Your support has allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies and clinical experiences, propelling me closer to my goal of becoming a healthcare professional.

Once again, I am deeply grateful for your investment in my education and future.

Your generosity has not only lightened my financial burden but has also motivated me to strive for excellence in my academic and clinical endeavours. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and giving back to the community in the future, inspired by the values of Rotary.

Thank you for making a difference in my life and the lives of those I hope to positively impact through my medical career. Your support is invaluable, and I am honoured to be a recipient of the Rotary scholarship.