RDA NSW The Land Newspaper Rural Doctors Scholarship - closed
Rural NSW’s chronic shortage of practicing doctors has prompted a joint initiative by The Land and the Rural Doctors Association of NSW (RDA NSW) aimed at encouraging more country students to study medicine.
As part of a raft of activities planned to mark the newspaper’s centenary next year, The Land is committing to establishing a scholarship to help cover the living away from home expenses incurred by undergraduate medicos.
The Land starts its 100th year of publishing on January 27, 2011.
Nominations are now open for prospective second year medical students from country NSW attending university in 2011 to apply for a $15,000 scholarship.
Applicants will be assessed by a selection panel of representatives from The Land and the RDA NSW.
A key factor in the selection process will be to seek out students with country backgrounds who have shown commitment to their rural communities and are keen to return to work in rural towns where their skills are very much needed.
“The Rural Doctors Association is delighted to be able to work with The Land and our country communities to offer this scholarship opportunity to two students whose training will be greatly appreciated in the country,” RDA NSW president and Tamworth GP, Dr Ian Kamerman said.
“Country kids are under represented at tertiary education level – including medicine – largely because of the distances they have to travel to attend university and the costs involved in living so far from home.”
Research by the RDA NSW suggests it costs a first year student studying medicine in Sydney about $18,000 in living expenses and university accommodation.
“Medicine is a difficult course and you don’t get a lot of free time to hold down a part-time job – any financial assistance to encourage young people to pursue this career is a big bonus, especially if their financial circumstances at home are limited,” Dr Kamerman said.
To qualify for the scholarship applicants must already be enrolled in an Australian medical school, have a letter of support from a senior figure in their local rural community and not already be bonded or be recipients of another scholarship.
A 2000 word application will need to include details of why they are studying medicine, career goals and an understanding of the role and value of rural doctors in Australia.
For more information visit www.rdansw.com.au or www.thelandcentenary.com.au or phone the RDA NSW on 1800 350 732.
To celebrate The Land’s centenary a special dinner will be held at Sydney Showground on Saturday, February 26, 2011. Tickets are $150, including a 10 per cent discount for tables of 10. On the night one lucky reader of The Land will win a Nissan Navara valued at $54.000, while auction items include a trip for two to the United Kingdom valued at $25,000. Monies raised will go towards the two $15,000 medical scholarships.
Why not get a table together? For details contact Lynne Rymer at The Land on (02) 4570 4678 or visit www.thelandcentenary.com.au
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