Community kindness fuels the future of rural healthcare

The Country Women’s Association Barwon Group has proudly awarded $35,000 in medical grants; the amount will be shared amongst 14 local students pursuing health-related studies, including several from the Wee Waa district.

This vital and valued support helps foster the next generation of rural healthcare professionals.

The 2025 BGMG recipients include: Alice Berry from Rowena, who is studying social work; Amber Coleman from Rowena, who is studying nursing; Lacey Evans from Wee Waa, who is studying Nursing; Caitlin Kable from Wee Waa, who is studying occupational therapy; Joe Madden from Wee Waa, who is studying physiotherapy; Jemima Powell from Burren Junction, who is studying occupational therapy; Sarah Ellison from Walgett, who is studying social science; Grace Hopcroft, from Walgett, who is studying child and family health nursing (post grad.); Isobel Pye from Walgett, who is undertaking a Masters of Medicine (skin cancer); Bridget Ritter from Lightning Ridge, who is studying Medical science; Hareem Sohail from Lightning Ridge, who is studying Medicine; Ambrosia Wilmans from Lightning Ridge, who is studying applied psychology and counselling; and Matilda Wilmans from Lightning Ridge, who is studying youth work and community services.

The Courier asked the bright, young students from our district how they feel about being named as a recipient and what the grant means to them, in terms of supporting their future studies. They all expressed their gratitude and commitment to making a positive impact on their much-loved rural communities.

“I’m really thankful to receive this grant. It makes a genuine difference while I’m studying full-time and gives me a bit more breathing room to focus on long placements, assessments, and coursework. I also really appreciate the support from the community,” said Alice Berry.

Lacey Evans shared: “I am truly honoured to be a recipient of this award, and I am deeply grateful for the support. This opportunity means a lot to me, and it motivates me to continue striving toward my academic and future goals, knowing that there are people who believe in me.”

Caitlin Kable commented: “I’m incredibly grateful to be a recipient of this grant. As part of my degree (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy) I need to undertake 1000 hours of unpaid placement, the assistance from the grant allows me to focus more fully on my coursework and clinical training and ease the financial pressures of university life.”

Joe Madden described receiving the grant as ‘a real privilege’. “I am very grateful to be a recipient of the CWA medical grant,” Joe added. “I am thankful for the opportunities that having this grant will provide me into the future. It will support me during my 20 weeks of unpaid placement that I have as a requirement for my physiotherapy degree. I feel blessed to have received this grant.”

Sophie Sendall said: “I am beyond grateful to the CWA for this grant as it will provide invaluable support towards my tuition and upcoming placement. I am also so lucky to have grown up in a small community that has inspired me to pursue medicine with hope of easing the burden that is limited healthcare in these beautiful small towns. I look forward to continuing my studies and one day giving back to the rural communities that have supported me all my life. Thank you.”

“I am extremely thankful and honoured for the opportunity and recognition of my contribution to the medical field,” said Amber Coleman.

“I am incredibly grateful for the Barwon Group Medical Grant supporting my nursing career and motivating me to continue making a difference in the community.

“Moving forwards, the grant will help significantly with my nursing studies, particularly aiding the required educational resources. Additionally, the grant will contribute towards placement costs, often being based away from home, significantly benefiting my education,” said Amber.

Jemima Powell said: “It means so much and the grant is so helpful. With any degree in health there are a lot of hours in the classroom but also a lot outside, including unpaid placements – without this help, it wouldn’t be as smooth sailing. Knowing that you have this support from the CWA and your community makes you want to give back in the future. It makes me feel proud to tell people where I grew up, and this support makes me think even more about how I can use my degree to give back to the community.”

Jemima agreed that grants such as those offered by the CWA provide valuable assistance to country students, who face unique challenges and financial burdens when studying away from home without the option to live with their families.

The CWA echoed the sentiments of the grateful students, thanking the generous community sponsors and local supporters of the grant program, which has a strong history of helping students achieve their dreams and continue their studies often far from home.

“This grant is making a real difference by supporting local students in their health-related studies and encouraging them to return to our communities as future healthcare professionals. The sponsors’ support is not just an investment in the education of our local students —it’s an investment in the health and future of our rural communities,” said the CWA.

In addition to the main grants, a $500 award for the best applicant essay was presented, kindly sponsored by the Northumberland Group of CWA. This year the essay winner selected by the Northumberland Group of CWA was Grace Hopcroft from Walgett, who is undertaking postgraduate studies in child and family health nursing.

The CWA Barwon Group Medical Grant Committee was formed in 1998 to raise funds to assist local students studying any recognised health-related field.

Part of its mission is to encourage graduates to return to their rural roots to set up practice.