“There’s always a great need for improvement in health,” Inverell CWA president Desie Kearsey said. 

“The CWA was initially founded for that purpose – it was founded 95 years ago to improve the welfare of women and families in Australia and overseas, but particularly in rural and remote areas.” The CWA offers the Inverell medical education grant annually.

Third year nursing student Emma-Lee Knight who received $2000 last year, said the funds, which she spent on a new laptop, had a great impact on her studies.

“I was able to do work from home. I didn’t have to travel to the library all the time. I was able to use my time a lot better. It was more reliable because it didn’t keep crashing, so I didn’t lose my work,” she said.

The grant allowed Miss Knight to continue following her passion of helping others and burn her irrepressible energy in a fast-paced environment.

“I believed that nursing was a way that I’d be able to help people on every level - physical, emotional, mental,” she said.

Miss Knight now works with McLean Care, and said she is well aware of the need for health workers in rural areas.

“We don’t have enough health staff in any area in the country, so anything that encourages people to come to the country - incentives are always good, right?” she said.

She loves her job, visiting elderly locals and helping them with daily acts of living, from showering, personal care and taking medication, to lifestyle services such as shopping and going out to lunch.

“(I love) to be a part of their journey at the other end of their life. To be working alongside them and learning their past history and life, and what they value and why they value it,” she said.

“They shaped the country.”

The grant ranges in cost, depending on how many students are selected. Last year $3000 was split between two recipients.

It is available to students who have finished their first year in a health related university course. Both full time and part time students are eligible.

Applicants must agree to undertake work experience in a rural area and should live within the boundaries of the CWA Gwydir Group. This includes Inverell, Bundarra, Bingara, Moree, Weemelah, Yetman, North Star, Bonshaw and surrounding areas.

To receive a form, email a request to the CWA Gwydir Group secretary at gwydirgroupcwa@hotmail.com.

Applications remain open until January 31, 2018.