Rural students to further their veterinary studies with scholarship wins
Press release
8 May 2009
Two rural students in their first year of study at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary Science have received scholarships valued at $20,000.
The Noble Stewart-Hamilton Scholarship and the Rural Veterinary Student's Scholarship are each awarded annually to a student entering their veterinary science studies. Both scholarships aim to help students from rural or regional areas overcome the financial hardships they face in moving to and studying in Melbourne. The scholarships are provided for the duration of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science course.
Felix DeNatris, from Wangaratta, was this year's recipient of the Rural Veterinary Student's Scholarship, while Karienne Black, from Benalla, received the Noble Stewart-Hamilton Scholarship.
"The scholarship will assist me with accommodation and living expenses in Melbourne, and hopefully allow me to dedicate more time to my studies," said Ms Black.
Both students are settling in to life in Melbourne, after juggling the challenges moving from the country brings. The students have adjusted to leaving family, friends and pets, and encountered the world of finding rental accommodation and negotiating the public transport system.
"It's taken a long time to adjust but I think I’m going to enjoy living in Melbourne," Mr DeNatris said. "I am really enjoying the course and find what I am learning really interesting, which makes study so much easier."
The Rural Student's Scholarship was set up by retired veterinarian Dr Bill Riches and his wife Jenny Riches and was awarded for the first time this year. Along with helping vet students from the country, the Riches hope that the fund will go some way towards addressing the shortage of vets in rural areas.
The Noble Stewart-Hamilton scholarship, which is donated through the estate of Joyce Agnes Stewart-Hamilton (nee Noble), was awarded to four students for the first time in 2008. Katherine Adams, from Mansfield, was a recipient last year and has gained many benefits from the scholarship.
"Having a scholarship like the Noble-Stewart Hamilton Scholarship can take the edge off the pressure of coordinating study, finances, getting time out to be with friends and going home to be with your parents. It makes a huge difference in your overall experience at university," said Ms Adams.
Melissa Westhead, currently in third year, also received the scholarship last year, and says it has given her the opportunity to do work experience in a diverse range of locations around Victoria.
Melissa recently spent two weeks at the Portland/Heywood Veterinary Clinic where, on the first day, she performed 100 pregnancy tests on cattle and assisted in examining sheep for live export.
"I am so grateful to all of the scholarship donors, and would like to express my sincere thanks to them. I hope other rural students are able to benefit from generosity such as theirs in the years to come," Melissa said.
Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, said: “These scholarships are expressions of the Riches and the Faculty’s strong interest in promoting access to the highest quality veterinary education by rural students.” Professor Hinchcliff also noted that 47% of veterinary graduates of the University of Melbourne entered practice in rural or regional areas of Australia after graduation.
Both scholarships are open to students enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree who have resided in a regional or remote part of Australia. Full details can be found at www.vet.unimelb.edu.au
For further information please contact Lauren O'Connor, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: oconnor@unimelb.edu.au