Narrabri Shire students awarded rural scholarships

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation has officially announced its rural scholarship program recipients for 2020 and three outstanding students from our district have made the list.

Narrabri’s Jessie Ross who is studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at UNE and Wee Waarians Cait Downes and Caitlyn Galagher, who are both currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of New England, have been awarded rural scholarships to assist with their university studies.

RASF manager Cecilia Logan said the 2020 rural scholars represent “a bright future” for regional NSW.

“It is not an easy task to uproot your life and move away from home to reach your goals, however, it is often the journey regional and rural NSW students have to undergo to achieve further education and training,” said Mrs Logan.

“The rural scholarship program was designed to support this journey; giving students the freedom to study without the stress and financial challenges brought about by the need to relocate.

“Each recipient announced is a tremendous ambassador for country NSW, and we look forward to following their progress as they work towards achieving their goals.”

Jessie Ross said she hopes to become a physiotherapist, a profession that will allow her to combine her interest in sport and health as well as her love of caring for people.

“I feel very honoured to receive such an advantageous scholarship to further my education and it has helped me immensely in my first year of study at university,” Jessie told The Courier.

She said she wanted to use her degree to improve country people’s health and quality of life.

“I would love to return back to Narrabri once I’ve graduated and work in my local community as I have so many fond memories of my time there as a child.”

Wee Waa’s Cait Downes said felt privileged to be awarded the scholarship.

“It has given me the chance to pursue the nursing/midwifery line of work that would not have been available to me otherwise.

“It enabled me to get out of the levee and experience what living at college, living away from home and living in a bigger place is like.”

Cait said she wanted to work in a rural community when she finishes her degree, recognising that all too often country towns miss out on essential medical services.

“Throughout high school I was very interested in the human side of biology and love to help people, “ said Cait.

“Pursuing nursing and midwifery I believe is my way of contributing positively to a rural community.

“I want to give back to a community as I have been given.

“Following in my mum’s footsteps I decided that I wanted to pursue nursing and later, midwifery.

“Rural communities, just like every other, need professions such as nurses and midwives, and being able to provide my community with the skills and experiences that I will come away from uni with will be a great asset to the community I work in.”

Cait said the experience of attending university had been fantastic, but unfortunately due to COVID-19 her college experience has been interrupted and she’s currently learning online.

“Living at college for the short stay that I was there was amazing.

“COVID-19 meant that we were sent home and for me that means not returning to college until next year as all my classes have been moved online.

“Finding this out was a real shame as I met some amazing people and had created an effective routine.

“Keeping up with uni whilst at home has been very difficult but manageable,” said Cait.

Caitlyn Galagher said she was also incredibly grateful to RASF for choosing her to be part of its scholarship program.

“I feel absolutely honoured to be awarded the RAS Foundation scholarship,” said Caitlyn.

“Being awarded this scholarship has given me the chance to pursue a career in nursing as this has been something I have always wanted to do.

“This has enabled me to go to university in Armidale and experience college life at St Albert’s college.

“A career in health has always been something I have wanted to do and working at Wee Waa Hospital as an AIN (Assistant in Nursing ) has driven my passion even more so.

“At the completion of my degree I wish to continue working in a rural setting, having a positive impact on rural communities.”

The scholarships are awarded to regional students who are studying at a NSW university or TAFE, and aim to support those seeking further education “with the goal of injecting their new skills back into rural areas”.

RASF said it chose to invest in the future of strong and vibrant rural communities by supporting the next generation through the scholarship program.

The scholarships offer financial grants of $6000 for full-time and $3000 for part-time study to assist students who are passionate about contributing to the future of regional communities.