A TERTIARY education grant program, which supports students studying in health skill shortage areas which impact the Mount Gambier community, was officially launched this week.
Up to 12 $2000 grants will be issued this year to students from the Mount Gambier area who are required to move from the area to further their qualifications.
“The program aims to support young people in their endeavour to formally train as a health specialist,” Mount Gambier and District Tertiary Health Education Grants program chairman Ken Stafford said.
“Although we know some grant recipients may be unable to return to the region, where possible we hope they do so following their graduation to boost the number of health professionals in the South East.”
Grants can be used for a broad range of student needs including university fees, medical uniforms, equipment, books, travel and living expenses.
“Last year we provided 11 grants to students who undertook studies in different health areas including medical science, pharmacy, speech pathology, medicine/surgery, medical radiation,
physiotherapy, paramedic science, exercise science, nursing and midwifery, psychology and occupational therapy at five different universities throughout Australia,” Mr Stafford said.
2018 grant recipient Vimbiso Chiodze said the financial support helped her meet the costs associated with her first year studying a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery at the University of Adelaide.
“This grant was a shot in the arm and came in handy considering the cost of textbooks and other requirements such as stethoscope are prohibitively too high, let alone the high cost of student accommodation,” Ms Chiodze said.
“The grant impacted positively in making my transition into university life better than it would have been.”
Meanwhile, 22 year old Deakin University third year Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery student Alice Telford said the grant made it possible for her to continue to undertake work placements throughout Victoria in 2018.
“The financial help provided by the grant enabled me to access a variety of workplace opportunities for both personal growth and practical learning; delivering babies, caring for those who are vulnerable and collaborating and learning among supportive and experienced teams of health professionals in both city and rural areas,” Ms Telford said.
Over the past 13 years the program has provided 132 grants to students at a total cost of $264,000.
“We are always looking for additional financial contributors to the program so that we can try and keep the number of grants up between 12 and 15 each year,” Mr Stafford said.
“Grant District Council doubled its contribution to the program this year from $2000 to $4000 which means that not one, but two students will be supported as a result.”
Visit www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au to view the eligibility criteria and application form.
Applications close March 31.
