A presentation was held on Wednesday, February 14 at the Moree Town and Country Club.

This year two encouragement awards were also presented to Ruth Courts and Emily Hancock.

Ms Stewart has recently moved to Orange to commence her Bachelor of Dental Science with Charles Sturt University after studying completing her first year of a Bachelor of Oral Health Hygiene and Therapy in Wagga Wagga.

The 19-year-old plans to put her scholarship towards teeth sets, hygiene instruments, scrubs and textbooks to assist with studies.

Daniella grew up in Moree and has a strong desire to stay grounded in the community and remain close to her family.

Her work experience was carried out as a Dental Assistant in Narrabri, Goondiwindi and Moree. Her first work experience was in year 11 where she spent one week with North West Dental in Moree which she loved.

“The best part was when I got to assist a tooth extraction and got to suck up all the pus and blood,” she said.

Her ambition is to own a dental clinic in Moree to offer the best possible dental services to Moree and surrounding residents.

Encouragement award recipient, Emily Hancock, is studying to be a Registered Nurse.

She is enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing with the University of New England.

Working in a rural area is something Emily has become very passionate about. After completing placements where she observed health facilities such as hospitals first hand, she has seen the need for retention of health professionals in the region.

Her work placements have included Moree District Hospital; Port Macquarie Base Hospital; June District Hospital and Cessnock Correctional Centre.

Emily hopes to work in the Moree District Hospital on the completion of her studies.

Second encouragement award recipient, Ruth Courts, is currently studying her second year of a Bachelor of Biomedical Science through the University of New England as an external student.

In July this year she will sit the Undergraduate Medical Admission Test (UMAT) with the aim to be accepted and transfer into medicine.

Her passion for rural Australia has been demonstrated by a 15-year career in Grain Marketing and Commodity Trading. Being able to manage the stressful environment and build good relationships with the industry members gave her the confidence to apply for medicine.

Ruth has experienced many medical hardships through her youth. During her 20s her sister suffered and recovered from Leukaemia, she lost two close friends to mental illness and suicide, her boyfriend was killed in a car accident and she delivered a precious baby girl via a life threatening emergency caesarean.

She believes a career as a doctor will allow her the privilege of making a true difference in people’s lives at their most vulnerable.

With financial donations to ensure the continuation of the valuable Dr Williams Hunter Scholarship, major sponsors Moree Plains Shire Council has contributed $3,000 and Moree Services Club $5,000.

Their continued and valuable support helps to encourage local students to practice their health profession within the region upon completion of their studies.

Moree Plains Shire Council general manager, Lester Rodgers said council is committed to improving access to health services locally.

“Our long-standing contribution to this scholarship is an example of this commitment and it’s an initiative we are pleased to be part of for 2018,” he said.

As well as their financial support, Moree Plains Shire Council has shown its commitment to the scholarship with Mitchell Johnson, Director of Corporate Services joining the selection panel this year. Mrs Libby Carter, Integrated Planning and Reporting manager also attend the presentation.

“Studies in Dentistry, Nursing and Medicine and other health fields are an enormous undertaking for a student, both mentally and financially,” she said.

“The contact hours mean it is quite difficult for these students to hold down part-time or casual jobs to help fund their further education.

“It is a great initiative to provide funding such as this; even more so, when the funding has resulted in a large portion of these students pursuing their careers locally.”

In 2004, coinciding with the retirement of Dr William Hunter, the Barwon Division of General Practice established the Dr William Hunter Scholarship, the main objective of which is to support students studying medicine, allied health and nursing from the Moree Plains, Warialda, Bingara or Collarenebri districts.

Since the program’s inception, it has supported over 18 students, with around a third of the students returning to work in their chosen health field in a rural area.

Dr Di Coote, a long serving member of the Barwon Health Alliance (Formally the Barwon Division of General Practice) said it’s important to find new and innovative ways to encourage medical services to our communities.

“This annual scholarship is a means of addressing and encouraging the very real problem of health professional retention in rural communities,” she said.

“It is good to see this scholarship has been encouraging our local medical students to return to the area.”

Through the sponsorship of the scholarship from organisations such as the Moree Plains Shire Council and Moree Services Club, as well as a number of individual donors including Tulloona Ladies Club, CWA – County of Burnett, Dr William Hunter and ECN Pastoral Company, select students will be assisted with yearly academic costs of rent, books and associated university costs.