The scholarship, first initiated in 2005, honours the work of Bill Hunter AM; rural GP and surgeon who served the Moree district for more than 40 years.

Each year medical, allied health and nursing students from Moree, Warialda, Bingara or Collarenebri in their second year or above of an undergraduate degree at any Australian university are invited to apply, and Dr Hunter said 2016’s recipient was a tough decision.

“Madelyn and Tori both satisfied the criteria, they are definitely local. 

Madelyn pursuing a career in Health Sciences at Sydney University and Tori in Health Sciences and Rehabilitation at Charles Sturt University in Albury, she intends to complete her Masters in rehab as well.”

He said support from Moree Plains Shire Council, Moree and District Services Club, Country of Burnett CWA, Dr Geoff Coulthard, Gordon and Norma Kirkby family and Barwon Health Alliance saw an auxiliary awarded to Tori.

“To fill the criteria both Madelyn and Tori will complete placement in rural areas.

“We know students who are raised in the bush are more likely to settle in rural areas. I just wish we could encourage more students from the big cities and coastal areas to give the bush a go,” Dr Hunter said.

Madelyn, of Moree, and Tori, of Bingara, said they were both excited to have the opportunity to do placement in rural areas.

“It’s also great for me because I have two subjects I really need a tutor for and just to be able to come home to do the placement out this way.

“I was so excited because through my course I only get one lot of placement and it will be based in a metro area, so now I’ll be able to come home and experience rural placement,” Tori said.

Madelyn agreed and said her degree in health science did not have placement.

“I don’t know what I want to do after health science so I’m hoping the rural placement will guide me in the right direction,” she said.