Years of university in metropolitan Australia provided a high-quality education and lifelong friendships; yet, why did I continue feeling that something was missing? Upon reflection, I realised that this void arose from my unique childhood experiences spent in rural locations. Born to adventure-bound parents of Australian and Malaysian-Indian origin, my sisters and I travelled widely, living in Western Australia as well as far-flung towns in Spain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the UK. It’s clear that deep-rooted community values were instilled deep within me. I recall the simplicity of thriving in small towns where I felt I knew everyone and listened to all their stories of daily life. Where it was fine to leave the doors unlocked or spontaneously cycle to a neighbour’s home and be invited to share a family meal; where I cannot recall feeling alone in spite of there being less bustle than the cities. My passion for rural life was ignited long before I discovered medicine. Consequently, I jumped at the opportunity to chase this passion with a long-term placement in Bega.

Growing up, my family and I always went out of our way to engage with community in the small towns we travelled to. I have fond memories of participating in regular community arts productions in local theatres. Personally, I made a point to join local societies like the Boy Scouts, food kitchens, and volunteer for overseas trips to natural disaster or civil strife zones. This pattern continued as an adult in Melbourne and Canberra during my University studies. An illustrative experience is my becoming President of the ANU Basketball Club. In that role I coached several teams, ran competitions, and encouraged people to make new friends who may not have otherwise connected. I like to think my upbringing inspired this desire to serve and I aspire to continue so in Bega.

Moving to Bega will come with challenges. I will leave my job in Canberra, relying solely on Youth Allowance to support myself through this intense phase. Notably, fulltime placements in hospitals will limit time for paid work, further pressuring finances. A scholarship would relieve this burden. Additionally, placements are more self-directed, intense, and complex than pre-clinical studies, with many learning opportunities only available to those with the time and resources to pursue them. If financial concerns arise, it’s possible I will miss these opportunities in the Bega Hospital and beyond.

Next year, I plan to continue my passion for volunteering with local charities, like Sapphire Community Pantry, which I was volunteered in during our recent visit, the local Park Run and others I’m sure to encounter. I greatly admire the spirit of community and fellowship I’ve already noticed in Bega. I am eager to participate in Rotary events and initiatives, seeing them as an opportunity to give back, reconnect with the values of my childhood, and integrate more deeply into the Bega community.

I am very grateful to the Australian Rotary Health program for supporting me through the Medical Health Scholarship. This generosity has allowed me to pursue my medical and professional interests to their fullest extent. It has removed the pressure of balancing financial stress with study and placement, and has given me the chance to participate more fully in both clinical training and the community.

At the South East Regional Hospital in Bega I have been able to observe and take part in high quality care across the medical, surgical and paediatric wards. I have been supervised by committed clinicians who not only deliver excellent care but also create valuable training opportunities for junior doctors. A lasting impression from these months has been that Bega is a strong place for doctors at all stages of their careers. For junior doctors there is a wide scope of learning and responsibility, and for senior doctors there is the opportunity to establish long term careers in a supportive community.

The scholarship has also given me the chance to engage with the community beyond the hospital. I have volunteered time at a local food pantry, community events like Science Week, and have been able to continue my passion for basketball. I coached a junior team at the Merimbula Basketball Association. We had a successful season, finishing at the top of the ladder, although we were beaten in the finals by one point. Despite the loss, I valued being part of a group of young athletes and helping to foster their lifelong enjoyment of sport and teamwork. I also joined a local men’s competition, which gave me the opportunity to meet residents from different backgrounds. The friendships formed on the court have made my time in Bega more rewarding and are relationships I hope to carry forward.

For someone who had not lived in the region before, my overall impression of Bega is that it is a hidden strength of rural health in Australia. The hospital and local health services provide opportunities to grow professionally while also serving the community in meaningful ways that are difficult to replicate in metropolitan areas. The scale of practice and the depth of community involvement give doctors the chance to make an outsized impact. This is not an impression I would have developed without the scholarship support. By allowing me to train here without the need to rely on full time work alongside full time study and placement, Rotary has enabled me to focus on becoming a better medical student and future doctor.

I remain extremely grateful for this opportunity and for the trust Rotary has placed in me.