Bush Bursary Program

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The Rural Doctors Network Bush Bursary program is a collaboration between Councils, the Country Women’s Association, and the Rural Doctors Network, who provide financial support for medical students to undertake a two-week placement during their university holidays. Wentworth Shire Council is pleased to support the next generation of healthcare professionals and has financially supported and hosted students for a number of years.

L-R: Councillor Daniel Linklater (Mayor of Wentworth Shire), Sam Isherwood, Ava Wraight, Councillor Sue Nichols (Deputy Mayor of Wentworth Shire).

Ava Wraight and Sam Isherwood, two second-year medical students at Macquarie University with a shared passion for rural and remote healthcare, were chosen to participate in Wentworth Shire Council’s placement through the Bush Bursary Program.

Ava and Sam stepped into Wentworth Shire, and found themselves not just participants in a program but integral members of the community. The social and lifestyle aspects of rural living are crucial factors for health professionals considering a career in rural healthcare. The program, with its focus on showcasing rural life beyond clinical settings, aims to provide a holistic understanding of what it means to practice healthcare in a rural area.

“I have absolutely loved my time here in Wentworth and the surrounding regions. I feel like I will leave this placement having learned great skills in community engagement and the complexities of rural health, not just from a medical perspective but also from a political, administrative, and geographical standpoint. As a student, understanding that medicine is an incredibly broad discipline that integrates health holistically from the individual, communal, and national level will, I hope, encourage me to think laterally as I progress in my studies and career.”

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Councillor Daniel Linklater (Mayor of Wentworth Shire) with Sam Isherwood.

Ava and Sam stepped into Wentworth Shire, and found themselves not just participants in a program but integral members of the community. The social and lifestyle aspects of rural living are crucial factors for health professionals considering a career in rural healthcare. The program, with its focus on showcasing rural life beyond clinical settings, aims to provide a holistic understanding of what it means to practice healthcare in a rural area.

“I have always been interested in community medicine, and this placement was an incredible opportunity to explore that in Wentworth. I was really hoping to gain further insight into the healthcare systems in place to support rural areas and where possible shortfalls that may exist. My overall experience has been fantastic.  Everyone I have met over the last two weeks has been so welcoming, generous with their time and knowledge, and interested in us as students. I have learned a lot about the healthcare dynamics that exist within rural communities, and also uniquely to Wentworth. I have been blown away by the strength and diverse nature of relationships formed between healthcare workers and residents in this community in order to provide support and care despite clear inequality and barriers to health.”

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Danielle White, Director of Sunraysia Collaboration (a partnership between Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (University of Sydney) South West Academic Centre (SWAC) & Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University – Rural Health Mildura), working in partnership with Wentworth Shire Council and the Rural Doctors Network, played a crucial role in ensuring Ava and Sam had a comfortable and productive stay. Her efforts contributed to a seamless and positive learning experience for the students.

“The success of the Bush Bursary Program lies in the collaborative efforts of councils, organisations, and students. Ava and Sam bring a fresh perspective, and we are excited to see how their time in Wentworth Shire influences their future careers,” notes Danielle, emphasizing the importance of these immersion experiences.

“The success of the Bush Bursary Program lies in the collaborative efforts of councils, organisations, and students. Ava and Sam bring a fresh perspective, and we are excited to see how their time in Wentworth Shire influences their future careers.”

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L-R: Councillor Daniel Linklater (Mayor of Wentworth Shire), Sam Isherwood, Ava Wraight, Councillor Sue Nichols (Deputy Mayor of Wentworth Shire).

As Ava and Sam explore the region, engaging with clinical services, participating in community activities, and immersing themselves in the local lifestyle, they are not just students on a placement; they are future healthcare providers who may one day choose to make a lasting impact in rural communities like the Wentworth Shire.

Wentworth Shire Council’s involvement in hosting Ava and Sam is part of a larger mission to encourage the next generation of practitioners to choose rural health. By opening their doors to these students, the council contributes to the broader goal of building a capable and sustainable health workforce in regional, rural, and remote communities.

“We are proud to host Ava and Sam as part of the Bush Bursary Program. This program not only provides valuable experiences for these young minds but also showcases the opportunities and rewards of rural healthcare. We believe in investing in the future of our healthcare workforce, and Ava and Sam’s presence is a testament to that commitment.”

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For further information, visit: https://www.nswrdn.com.au/site/bbcwa