CWA medical grant invests in the future of rural healthcare

STUDENTS from across the region are being encouraged to apply for the 2026 CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant, a long-running initiative that has distributed more than $300,000 to local students pursuing health-related careers since 1998.

Applications for the 2026 grant round are now open.

The grant provides valuable support to students undertaking tertiary and vocational studies in a wide range of health and allied health disciplines.

Established by the CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant Committee in 1998, the grant was created to assist local students with the costs associated with health-related study while encouraging graduates to return to their rural roots and contribute to the future of healthcare in regional communities.

Barwon Group Medical Grant convenor Jocelyn Cameron said the grant continues to make a meaningful difference to local students and their families.

“Many of our students must leave home to pursue their studies, often facing significant expenses associated with university, TAFE and professional placements,” Mrs Cameron said.

“The Barwon Group Medical Grant is about more than financial assistance. It is a way for local communities to show their support, encouragement and confidence in the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Since its establishment, the grant has supported more than 70 local students, many of whom have received funding across multiple years while completing their studies.

Wee Waa’s Caitlin Kable, a former grant recipient, is encouraging other local students to apply.

“The CWA grant made a significant difference during my placement in Taree last year by helping to cover accommodation and travel expenses,” she said.

“This financial support reduced the stress associated with placement costs and allowed me to focus more on my studies and learning opportunities rather than needing to work extra hours.

“I would strongly encourage other students to apply for CWA grants because even small amounts of support can make a big difference.

“Placements, travel, accommodation, and study-related expenses can quickly add up, particularly for students from rural areas.

“The support provided by the CWA helps ease this burden and allowed me to make the most of the opportunities available.

“I am very grateful for the assistance I received and would encourage others to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Caitlin is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Newcastle.

“I am absolutely loving it,” she said.

“It is currently the winter break, so I have taken the opportunity to study abroad. I have just completed a two-week summer program at Leeds University in England, where I studied Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: An Introduction.

“It was a fantastic experience that allowed me to broaden my knowledge, meet people from different backgrounds and gain a global perspective on healthcare.

“I chose occupational therapy because I am passionate about helping people maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. I love that it allows me to work with people across all stages of life.

“Growing up in a rural community, I have seen first-hand the challenges people can face when accessing healthcare services.

“In the future, I hope to work in a rural or regional area, where I can give back to communities and help improve access to allied health services.”

For Burren Junction’s Jemima Powell, the grant has also made a meaningful difference, helping ease the pressure of studying occupational therapy while completing lengthy unpaid placements far from home.

Jemima, a former grant recipient, is sharing a snapshot of her study story to urge other locals to submit a grant application.

“I would strongly encourage others to apply. Any financial assistance makes a real difference for students in healthcare degrees, where unpaid placement hours and packed timetables make it hard to hold down paid work alongside study,” she said.

Jemima is in her final year of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland.

“I have loved my degree and have had some amazing opportunities to do placements at some of the best health services in Queensland,” she added.

“Recently, I completed a 10-week placement at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, one of the largest tertiary hospitals in Queensland.

“I was part of the InReach Rehab team, which provides rehabilitation to patients on the acute wards to support them in beginning their recovery earlier.

“I worked with a variety of patients of different ages and across a range of presentations and conditions, including spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, and general deconditioning.

“This experience was highly rewarding as I was able to see the significant impact we had on patients’ recovery outcomes.

“It really sparked my interest in hospital-based OT and this is an area I am now working towards securing a new graduate position in next year.”

Jemima said occupational therapy appealed to her because it offered the chance to connect with people and make a positive impact.

“I chose this course because I wanted a job where I could interact with people all day and hopefully make a difference.

“Most people don’t really know what OT is, you’ll find that out if you ever ask my dad to explain it,” she joked.

“But it’s an incredibly important part of the allied health sector, focused on supporting and empowering people to do the activities – or occupations – they need and want to do in order to live a happy and healthy life.

“Throughout my studies, I’ve become more and more passionate about OT, as I believe everyone should be given the ability to engage in the activities that are meaningful to them because that’s what life is really all about.

“My hope for the future is to secure a position at a tertiary hospital next year, where I can work in a rotational role to develop generalist OT skills across a range of ages and medical presentations, which I can later take into rural communities.

“I have a particular interest in ICU and trauma, being there in the first stages after someone has had a life-changing event and helping them learn new ways of doing their everyday occupations.”

Building a career in healthcare takes hard work and comes with its own challenges, but the contribution these professionals make to our communities is invaluable.

Jemima said the support from the CWA grant program during her course has been ‘incredibly helpful’, taking ‘some of the financial pressure off, allowing me to focus on my placements and get the most out of the experience’.

“To complete my degree, I’ve had to complete over 30 weeks of unpaid placement, alongside a heavy load of face-to-face learning at university, which leaves little time for paid work.

“On top of that, there are added costs like CPR and First Aid courses, parking at placement, and uniforms.

“I am incredibly grateful to the CWA for their support over the past couple of years.

“It has eased some of the financial strain that comes with living a long way from home and completing unpaid placements and has allowed me to focus on my studies and get the most out of the incredible opportunities this degree has given me.”

The grant is available to students whose principal place of residence is within the Barwon CWA Group area, encompassing the Burren Junction, Collarenebri, Goodooga/Lightning Ridge, Pilliga, Rowena, Walgett and Wee Waa CWA branches.

Students studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, social work, chiropractic, orthotics, natural health studies and other recognised health-related fields are encouraged to apply.

Eligible applicants include undergraduate and TAFE students who have completed at least six months of study in their first year or higher and intend to continue their studies in 2027. The grant is also open to postgraduate students and those updating or adding to existing qualifications.

Mrs Cameron said supporting local students was an investment in the long-term health and wellbeing of rural communities.

“Rural communities understand the importance of having access to quality healthcare services,” she said.

“By helping local students pursue their studies today, we are investing in the healthcare workforce our communities will rely on tomorrow.”

Each year, the grant is made possible through the generosity of local businesses, community organisations, sporting and service clubs, CWA branches and individual donors who recognise the importance of supporting education and healthcare outcomes in western NSW.

Applications close on Friday 4 September.

For application forms, guidelines or further information, see classifieds or contact Jocelyn Cameron, Barwon Group Medical Grant convenor, on [email protected]