In my rural week in 2021, I travelled to Young and spent several days there, including attending a Rotary Club dinner event, following a GP in clinical practice, and meeting emergency workers for dinner. I now have the privilege of returning to Young for the entirety of 2023. I am applying for this scholarship for several reasons, but especially because of the positive experience I had meeting the Rotarians of Young in this short visit. Frankly, I am already going to seek out these Rotary connections during my year in the town, but this scholarship would make this an easier task. I have a history of volunteering for regional town organisations such as a community improvement group, St John Ambulance, and for a rural op-shop, and I will be attempting to volunteer with the Rotary Club in Young. This scholarship would facilitate this engagement, and I would put effort into attending every event that was available.

Financially, this scholarship would assist me greatly as I move rurally. I am an independent student living far away from home and relying on Centrelink support. I have worked part time (up to 20 hours per week) through medical school thus far to support myself and will not be able to continue working once away from Canberra in third year. In addition, I am getting married on the 1st of December, and will need to support my partner as we both move to Young. This scholarship would assist in the financial transition to rural full-time placement.

I have an extensive background of volunteering, extra-curricular activities, and have worked as the Australian Medical Students Association Representative for ANU for the past year (and as Junior Rep the year before). In these roles, I further developed my interest in rural medicine, which is the sole reason that I choose medicine at ANU above other offers of medical entry. This arose because I was made aware of the opportunities to engage in rural medicine at the medical school. Remote, rural, and regional healthcare is the reason I chose to study medicine, because I believe that the problems in these areas go beyond a shortage of doctors. The perception of patients about rural practise, and the engagement of the public with available health systems are crucial to success in regional locations. I will, with complete certainty, be living and working rurally as a doctor in the future to help correct the distribution shortage of medical staff. This is my passion and purpose for studying medicine. This scholarship would help me engage and have an active stake in the town of Young and give me great reason to return after internship. Thank you for considering my application among others of my peers who I know are also eminently suitable.