The cost of living is rising, yet student placement hours are not reducing, and the role of medical student remains unpaid. Everyone has to learn at some point, but it cannot be denied that the demands of placement, compounded by assignments and study time, make it difficult to find time for paid employment. I currently have two jobs, one at the hospital at the switchboard and front desk, the other being a work-from-home administrative role with a cardiothoracic research institute. Being a casual in the former role, I have no guaranteed shifts, and I also struggle to give availability due to placement timetable often being released late and being subject to change constantly. The Australian Rotary Rural Health Scholarship would alleviate the stress of trying to pick up shifts in this role, and the subsequent exhaustion after working until 11pm and needing to be back at the hospital the following day for 8am placement. It would help me put the energy into my placement that it deserves, as well as have more time for study in preparation for my final exams.

As someone with a disability, I am disproportionately affected by fatigue. It also comes with the un-negotiable costs of specialist appointments and medications. This scholarship would assist with these costs and keeping my employment duties at an amount that are more manageable for my condition.

Besides attending placement and working, I have been and will continue to be involved in student advocacy for my cohort of medical students and students with disabilities, both within WSU medicine and WSU generally. I derive significant meaning and purpose from my roles as year representative, Western Sydney Medical Society Disability Officer, and WSU Disability Collective Secretary. This scholarship would allow me to put more time and effort into these roles through reducing my need to work and financial burden.

These roles are also important in improving the experiences of myself and fellow students, including those at rural clinical schools. My role as year representative has specifically allowed me to promote Lismore as a rural placement site, ensuring the students coming to the area are enthusiastic and motivated to become a part of the local community.

Perhaps the biggest thing I am concerned about for next year is the longevity of my car, which will be 18 years old in January. I am highly anticipating a breakdown and needing to buy a car, which is a significant expense for anyone, let-alone a student who only holds casual employment. Without a car, it is virtually impossible to attend placement in rural areas. In Lismore, where I am based, public transport is limited and there are no bus stops within walking distance of my accommodation. Buses also do not go to all locations students are expected to attend for placement. This scholarship would reduce the stress associated with this cost and ensure there is no break in my ability to attend placement next year.

This year has been very busy but also incredibly rewarding. Over the summer holidays I began playing the violin again and in February I joined the Lismore Symphony Orchestra. We rehearsed every Thursday night at Southern Cross University and on some weekends to prepare for our concert. The concert was on the 30th March at St Carthage’s Church, Lismore. Our program included Massenet’s Meditation from Thais, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, to name a few. It was a great experience to meet more locals (including lots of doctor musos) and to get back into classical music. I had not played properly since starting my degree and I didn’t realise how much I missed it until I started playing again. Unfortunately, the mid-year concert series was cancelled due to a multitude of reasons. Luckily rehearsals are slowly starting up again and we had our first informal rehearsal in several months last Thursday.

I have had more time this year to explore the area and have enjoyed exploring the local waterfalls and rivers with friends and visiting family. A highlight was kayaking across the Richmond River to South Ballina and walking along the track to South Ballina beach. There was virtually no one in sight and the beach was almost pristine – a big accomplishment given the amount of rubbish in our oceans.

Recently I volunteered at the University Centre for Rural Health stall at the Northern Rivers Careers Expo. There were lots of high school students keen to get involved in checking blood sugar levels, blood pressure and trying out the CPR simulator. I also had some time to talk to people at other stalls, including staff from Rous County Council who had a town model to demonstrate the importance of water sustainability.

One of my coworkers from Lismore Base Hospital retired this month and I have been able to attend most of her various retirement celebrations amidst my placement timetable. I am fortunate that I no longer need to pick up as many shifts as possible at the hospital, so I only work there every few months. Despite this and having only known my coworkers since January last year, they are always happy to see me and find out more about where I am with my studies. I have felt similarly welcomed and valued on my clinical placements this year. I am grateful that I have been able to be part of such supportive teams on my journey to becoming a doctor.

While this year has not been all smooth sailing (changing my first and second tyre in the span of five weeks was not something I had planned on), I am lucky that I have had such a wonderful community to support me through the good and the bad.