The outstanding work of our local Country Women’s Association branches has been duly celebrated recently but the generous group isn’t resting on its laurels, with a CWA community support initiative now open for 2024 applications.
The CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant was established in 1998 to raise funds to assist local students studying any recognised health related field and to this day it continues to be a highly appreciated and valued financial boost for local students, with many studying away from home.
In this article, Wee Waa News chats to two 2023 Barwon Group Medical Grant recipients – Burren Junction’s Jemima Powell and Wee Waa’s Lara Ciesiolka – about how the CWA support helped them, their goals for the future and why others should apply for the grant.
One of the aims of the CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant is to encourage graduates to return to their rural roots to set up practice.
Over the last 25 years, more than $300,000 has been distributed to 73 recipients, many more than once.
Grant funds are sourced from local donors, and the CWA and recipients have expressed their gratitude.
This grant is presented each year to students pursuing a career in health-related fields whose principal place of residence is within the Barwon CWA Group area.
The area includes Burren Junction, Collarenebri, Goodooga/Lightning Ridge, Pilliga, Rowena, Walgett and Wee Waa.
“We support students studying medical or allied health courses – including social work, nursing, pharmacy, chiropractic, podiatry, physiotherapy, orthotics, speech pathology, natural health studies – to name a few,” said the grant convenor Jocelyn Cameron.
“Applicants need to have completed at least six months of study in their first year or higher and be committed to continuing those studies.
“The grant is also open to under graduates and TAFE students who have completed at least six months of study in their first year or higher and are committed to continuing those studies.
“Postgraduates and those updating or adding to existing qualifications to be studying in 2025 are also welcome to apply.
“Annually we distribute around $20,000. This has helped students to continue their studies as well as knowing that their community is offering their support and best wishes.
“Last year’s recipients came from Wee Waa, Burren Junction, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Rowena, Weilmoringle and the Grawin.
“There will be an additional $500 prize for the Best Essay, as judged and sponsored by the Northumberland Group of CWA, the twin group to the Barwon Group.
“Applications are to be submitted to the Grant Coordinator between July 26, 2024 and the close of business on Friday September 6, 2024.”
Wee Waa News conducted a Q and A session with some of the previous Barwon Group Medical Grant recipients to find out how the CWA support assisted their studies, their goals for the future and why others should apply for the grant.
JEMIMA POWELL – Burren Junction
Burren Junction’s Jemima Powell was incredibly grateful to be a 2023 CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant recipient and would encourage others to apply this year. Jemima is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland. Aside from her studies, and in some impressive sport news, Jemima recently competed at the Henley Women’s Regatta, the world’s premier international rowing regatta for women held in the United Kingdom. Jemima and her rowing partner Gabby Geldard proudly and strongly represented the Toowong (Qld) team, competing against 45 other crews worldwide for the Rosie Mayglothling Trophy. Jemima also recently placed fourth in the U23 lightweight single scull category at the Australian Rowing Championships 2024.
What are you studying? Where and how many years into the course?
I am studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland. I am two years into the course (I did a bit of chopping and changing before I found something I was interested in) and I am about to start my first placement at St Vincent’s Hospital Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.
Why did you choose this course, was there a person or situation that inspired you or is it just something you’re interested in? What are your hopes and goals for the future?
I had never really heard of Occupational Therapy when I was at school, so I did not even consider it as option for a future career. When I left school, I had absolutely no idea what I was interested in. This led to me dabbling in a lot of different courses, all of which I found very boring. It wasn’t until I met some girls at my residential college who were studying Occupational Therapy that I considered it might be something that I was interested in. OT really stood out to me as a career option because of its holistic approach to people’s care. The focus of OT is not only on the physical health of clients, but also their mental health through helping them achieve their goals. For many, that is helping them maintain or regain a purpose in life which is something I think is incredibly important for overall wellbeing and is what keeps me motivated in my degree.
Do you think you’d like to come back and work in a rural or regional area?
I would love to come back and work in a rural area like Wee Waa and Burren Junction as I think there is a lack of access and awareness about Occupational Therapy and how beneficial it would be to many members of the community. It would be really rewarding to give back to the community that I grew up in and also a great learning experience to work with clients of all ages, from infant to geriatric.
Congrats on being a 2023 Barwon Group Medical Grant recipient – country students can face different challenges and costs when it comes to studying away from home – how did the grant help you?
I was lucky enough to be a recipient of the 2023 Barwon Group Medical Grant which was an enormous help in covering costs for placement uniforms and first aid and CPR courses which are compulsory for the course but not covered by the university. I am so grateful to have received this grant as it allowed me to focus on my studies whilst alleviating some of the financial stress around living away from home.
Would you encourage others to apply for the grant?
I would absolutely encourage others to apply for the Barwon Group Medical Grant. In most healthcare degrees, including Occupational Therapy, students must undertake 1000 hours of unpaid placement. This leaves very little time for paid employment, causing a lot of financial stress, especially when you are living 700 kilometres or more away from home. The Barwon Group Medical Grant alleviates some of this stress and allows you to focus on your studies. Enabling you to get the most out of your course and your placement, helping you to become a better health professional and allowing you to return to the area and give back to the community.
LARA CIESIOLKA – Wee Waa
2023 CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant recipient Wee Waa’s Lara Ciesiolka. Lara truly valued being a grant recipient and is currently undertaking a psychology honours year at the University of Technology Sydney, having completed a three-year undergraduate psychology degree at The University of Sydney in 2023.
What are you studying and are you enjoying it?
I am currently undertaking my psychology honours year at the University of Technology Sydney, having completed my three-year undergraduate psychology degree at The University of Sydney in 2023. I aim to continue postgraduate studies in 2025 through a Master of Clinical Psychology program, with the ultimate goal of qualifying as a clinical psychologist. At times my studies have been challenging but also immensely rewarding.
Why did you choose this course, was there a person or situation that inspired you to choose the course or is it just something you’re interested in? What are your hopes and goals for the future?
My interest in psychology initially stemmed from witnessing the toll mental ill health took on a member of my extended family. This toll was further exacerbated due to it being virtually impossible to access mental health services and psychologists in the rural area where they lived. This experience prompted my decision to want to study psychology in the hope that I could one day make a small difference in the lives of those with mental health issues living and working in rural areas.
Do you think you’d like to come back and work in a rural or regional area?
Whilst I am currently living and studying in Sydney, it is my strong desire to return to a rural or regional area upon the completion of my studies and work placement, giving back to a rural community just like the one where I grew up and where mental health services are in desperate need.
Congrats on being a 2023 Barwon Group Medical Grant recipient – country students can face different challenges and costs when it comes to studying away from home – how did the grant help you and would you encourage others to apply?
Ultimately, there are a number of barriers and challenges to the pursuit of tertiary studies for country students that just aren’t factors for city-based students. Relocating from my home near Wee Waa required planning, and a considerable and ongoing financial investment. The financial support of the Country Women’s Association Barwon Group through their Annual Medical Grant provided a much needed and appreciated foundation for the continuation of my studies.
It was a privilege to be awarded a Country Women’s Association Barwon Group 2023 Annual Medical Grant and I would encourage any aspiring students keen to pursue studies in any of the health-related professions to apply in 2024.
BRONTE CIESIOLKA – Wee Waa
What are you studying? Where and how many years into the course?
I am about to commence my second semester studying Psychology at The University of Sydney, having completed the first year of a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2023, also at Sydney University. I am thoroughly enjoying my course having discovered my interest in psychology through my nursing degree when I was placed on a mental health ward as part of a clinical placement. Having experience in a real life situation allowed me to understand my passion for mental health and helping those who are vulnerable and in need.
Why did you choose this course, was there a person or situation that inspired you to choose the course or is it just something you’re interested in? And what are your hopes and goals for the future?
I ultimately chose this course due to my experience on a nursing clinical placement where I was allocated a mental health ward. I care deeply about helping people, especially those in need and those that are at their most vulnerable. I wanted to challenge myself but also make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis. I came to understand that psychologists can make such a positive difference for their patients wellbeing during difficult times by providing support and practical strategies for life’s challenges. I hope to be able to help create such a positive difference for my patients in the future.
Do you think you’d like to come back and work in a rural or regional area?
Competition of my degree would provide me with the opportunity to return, in time, to a rural or regional community where healthcare professionals are essential if these communities are not just to survive, but grow, develop and prosper. My early nursing studies, together with my lived experience in a rural community like Wee Waa, makes me keenly aware of some of the issues associated with accessing appropriately qualified mental health professionals, especially in rural communities.
Congrats on being a 2023 Barwon Group Medical Grant Recipient – country students can face different challenges and costs when it comes to studying away from home – how did it help you and would you encourage others to apply ?
In order to pursue my studies, I have needed to relocate from my home near Wee Waa to Sydney. As a successful recipient of a grant from the Country Women’s Association Barwon Group in 2023, I have been able to use the funds towards expenses related to my studies, for example, uniforms and equipment, and my residential accommodation fees. It is humbling to have been awarded such a grant and I would like to thank the Barwon CWA Group publicly for their support. I would encourage others to apply for the grant in 2024. I found it provided me with a stepping stone to begin a degree and career in the healthcare field and hopefully one day, the opportunity to provide care to my local community or one just like it.
Apply now for Barwon Group CWA’s
Medical Grant
Supporting local students residing in Barwon Group
area studying health-related courses who have
completed 6 months of study this year
Contact Jocelyn Cameron (Grant Convenor)
Ph: 0456 965 165
Closing date: COB 06.09.24
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