When Claudia Adams won the Dr William Hunter Scholarship last year, she was dumbfounded.
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"I really couldn't believe it ... when I found out I got it, I was really proud of myself," she said.
Liam Winter was equally stunned.
"I was blown away, I didn't think I would win after seeing and knowing some of the people who applied for it, who are all extremely worthy recipients."
The Moree duo are just two in a long line of local health students to benefit from the scholarship over the past 16 years, which has supported emerging nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, speech pathologists, radiology technicians and dietitians in their studies.
This year, up to $5000 is available to second year medical, allied health and nursing students from the Moree, Warialda, Bingara and Collarenebri communities.
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Applications are open until October 30.
"It's definitely benefitted me in ways that I didn't expect this year, which has been amazing," Claudia said.
The University of New England pharmacy student put the funds towards textbooks and unexpected costs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
"This year you had to supply a few of your own things so that you could study at home such as lab coats, face masks, gloves, agar plates and bicarb soda. It felt good knowing that the scholarship did help me study and use it for those kind of things, which is really handy."
Liam, who is studying para medicine at the University of Southern Queensland, put his winnings towards accommodation for his placements.
"The money has allowed me to travel to different places for my placements to gain a greater knowledge base and exposure," he said.
Dr Hunter is a retired GP and surgeon who spent much of his career in the Moree area. He is keen to see the region attract more health professionals and believes students from rural areas have a unique insight into the needs of the country.
Liam and Claudia are passionate about rural health and hope to use their skills to benefit the Moree community in the future.
Claudia is already working at the Moree Hospital after completing a pathology course at TAFE, and says she definitely wants to stay in the country when she graduates.
"The reason I started to do my degree online is so that I could come back here and make foundations," Claudia explained.
"So that when I do have my degree and have a full-time profession, I've already got those relationships with people."
"The current plan after graduation of my para medicine degree is to return to complete my nursing degree as it would give a greater depth of care and scope of understanding for the health system," Liam said.
"I would love to bring my newfound skills and knowledge back to the community of Moree and continue working in the country."
The Dr William Hunter Scholarship was established in 2004 by the Barwon Division of General Practice.
Applicants must be in their second year or above of an undergraduate medical, allied health or nursing degree at any Australian university, and cannot currently be receiving payments from another scholarship.
The recipient/s will agree to spend two weeks at a student placement in the Moree Shire, or a week in Warialda/Collarenebri and another in Moree, to be funded by the scholarship.
The $5000 will be paid in three instalments over the course of the academic year, and will assist with rent, books and associated university costs.
To learn more, call 6752 7196 or email barwonha@gmail.com to receive an application form.
Community donations are welcome, and will go directly to the scholarship fund.