HealthWISE and Gwydir Cotton Growers Association have awarded three students – two from Moree and one from Bingara – with $22,000 to support their university studies, strengthening the push to bring health professionals back to the bush.
For two decades, the Dr William Hunter Scholarship and a variety of Gwydir CGA scholarships have helped health students complete studies, with a shared goal of building the local health sector.
Moree’s Mikala Bearman and James Nolan, and Kristen Rogers from Bingara, were announced scholarship recipients.
Mikala, the first member of her family to attend university, was awarded a $2000 Dr William Hunter Encouragement Scholarship.
Mikala is passionate about rural mental health care, with a goal to work in schools with Indigenous students.
She is completing a Bachelor of Counselling at Southern Cross University while working as campus co-ordinator at Community College Northern Inland.
“Going into such a rewarding and fulfilling career can allow me to help people in rural and remote areas,” Mikala said.
She also hopes her experience will inspire other rural people to consider university and recognise there is more than one path to higher education.
Gwydir CGA Healthy Communities winner James Nolan shared his story growing up in Moree, dealing with long waits and expensive travel to ensure his sister had the care she needed for cystic fibrosis.
“I have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties facing families in rural and remote communities, and I want to bring some of those health services to those in need in country areas,” James said.
James is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University, and hopes to one day open a mobile practice in the Moree region, specialising in neurodiverse paediatrics.
Gwydir CGA committee member Liam Winter said the interview panel was impressed by James’ end-goals and commitment to his community.
“My aim is to service a broad area, helping regional and remote children achieve the best that they can, especially in their important earlier years of life,” James said.
After a year of health struggles, Kristen Rogers said the scholarship makes it possible to commit to fulltime study.
An assistant in nursing at the Bingara Multi-Purpose Service for the past eight years, Kristen is working towards becoming a registered nurse, studying a Bachelor of Nursing at University of New England.
“There are no words to describe how much of a difference this scholarship has made and the opportunities it has given me,” Kristen said.
“I am beyond excited to bring more registered nurses to these beautiful country towns. I really hope I can make you all proud.”
Scholarship namesake, Dr William Hunter, encouraged Kristen’s ambitions.
“We were impressed by her love of nursing and her dedication to her vocation as well as her community,” Dr Hunter said.
HealthWISE Barwon Health Alliance program manager Susanne Kable said the non-profit is honoured to support the Dr William Hunter scholarship and Gwydir Valley Cotton Industries Healthy Communities Scholarship.
“This support strengthens community capacity for improved health and wellbeing,” Susanne said.
HealthWISE took on the Dr William Hunter Scholarship last year as part of its Barwon Health Alliance program, which was developed to continue the work of the Barwon Health Alliance, a former support network and non-profit association for Barwon health professionals.
The Gwydir Cotton Growers Association has offered a range of medical scholarships over the past 25 years with the aim of encouraging current and future health professionals in the region, including the Healthy Community scholarship, which supports Warialda, Bingara, Moree and Collarenebri health students.
