How pub gigs and passion are driving Hanna's rural health dream
How pub gigs and passion are driving Hanna's rural health dreamAn Armidale medical student determined to return to regional Australia and improve rural healthcare says financial support from the Royal. . .
How pub gigs and passion are driving Hanna's rural health dreamAn Armidale medical student determined to return to regional Australia and improve rural healthcare says financial support from the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Foundation is helping turn that goal into reality. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaHannah Neilson is one of six students from the New England region to receive a 2026 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship, joining 83 recipients from across regional NSW and the ACT. The scholarships, worth up to $7000 for full-time students, are designed to ease the financial burden of tertiary study and encourage talented students to build careers that strengthen rural and regional communities. Ms Neilson, who grew up in Armidale and attended The Armidale School, is studying a Doctor of Medicine through the University of New South Wales and is currently completing an orthopaedic research year in Sydney before returning to Coffs Harbour to finish her degree. She said the scholarship had made a significant difference while studying away from home. "The scholarship has pretty much covered my rent, or at least part of it, which is a big cost, especially in Sydney," she said. "Medicine is one of the only health degrees that doesn't get financial support for placements, and because it's a six-year degree, it's a pretty long time to be essentially not employed. "Alongside her studies, Ms Neilson supports herself by performing music at pubs and events, playing guitar, and singing covers on weekends. Her current research investigates different fixation techniques for fractured hand bones, work she hopes will ultimately improve treatment options and complement a future career in rural medicine. "Orthopaedics has a huge demand everywhere because everyone breaks bones," she said. "It's a pretty good skill to have rurally, and if it's what I want to specialise in, it's what a rural town could benefit from. "While her research has taken her to Sydney, Ms Neilson said living in the city had only reinforced where she wanted to build her future. "Everything I'm choosing for my career path has it in mind that I know I want to live rurally," she said. "It's affirmed to me that I don't enjoy it. I don't find the sense of community present, and I'm trying to finish my research so I can come back home. "RAS Foundation manager Cecilia Logan said the scholarship program was designed to remove barriers faced by students from rural and regional areas. "For many young people, pursuing tertiary education comes with significant financial challenges, including the cost of tuition, relocating or travel, as well as daily living expenses," Ms Logan said. "We want to ensure that location isn't a barrier to opportunity for talented, hard-working students. This scholarship can provide the support and financial freedom they need to pursue their goals and ultimately make a positive impact in the communities that helped shape them. "I definitely want to say thank you to RAS. I've been going, and I've met them at the Easter Show when they hold their function there for the past couple of years," Ms Neilson said. Other New England recipients include Alana Cocking of Tamworth, Bateson Pittman of Walcha, Han Worsley of Nullamanna, Madison McDonald of Gunnedah and Matthew Wise of Tamworth. Applications for the 2027 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships are now open and close on October 5. As it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.