INVERELL Shire Council will take part in the 2025-2026 Bush Bursary Program, a vital initiative aimed at fostering future medical professionals in rural communities.

The Bush Bursary Program, facilitated by the Rural Doctors Network, provides selected medical, nursing, and midwifery students from NSW and ACT with the opportunity to undertake a two-week placement in rural areas during their university holidays.

The placements introduce students to the realities and rewards of rural medical practice, with the hope of encouraging them to pursue careers in regional healthcare.

Council will sponsor two students at a cost of $1500 per student, continuing its commitment to supporting rural health workforce development.

Inverell Health Forum members will co-ordinate the hosting of sponsored students.

Last year, Council participated in the 2024-2025 Bush Bursary Program.

Council sponsored two students, Ysabel Preller and Madeline Chisholm, who undertook placement in Inverell from December 8 to 21 last year.

Their experiences included rotations across Inverell Medical Centre, Inverell Hospital, and Inverell Imaging and Diagnostics, where they gained invaluable insights into rural healthcare operations and community engagement.

With demand for Bush Bursary placements far exceeding available spots – 116 applications were received for 43 placements in 2024 – Inverell Shire Council’s involvement in the program is crucial in expanding opportunities for aspiring rural health practitioners.

Council unanimously resolved to participate in the program for 2025-2026, contributing to the development of a sustainable rural health workforce.

Bush Bursaries participant, Deepthi Kramadarhi, who spent two weeks at Moruya, said the experience left an indelible mark on his professional journey and shaped his commitment to patient-centred and community-driven rural healthcare practices.

“Witnessing and participating in various medical procedures, from minor interventions like sutures to major surgeries such as C-sections and laparoscopic cholecystectomies, provided me with invaluable insights into rural healthcare,” he said.

“Engagement in critical activities like ventilating and bagging patients, as well as conducting venipunctures, significantly broadened my clinical skills.”

About the Bush Bursaries program

Rural Doctors Network Bush Bursaries and Country Women’s Association Scholarships provide selected medical, midwifery, and nursing students in NSW and the ACT with up to $1500 each to assist with the costs associated with participating in the program, including travel to and from the placement, meals, and other discretionary spending during the placement.

Recipients are paired up by RDN and spend two weeks on a placement in country New South Wales during university holidays.

The placement aims to provide a rural immersion experience by combining the enjoyable aspects of country life and rural medicine.

The program is funded by individual rural councils and community groups across New South Wales and scholarships are funded by the Country Women’s Association of NSW.

Both are administered by RDN.

As such, available placement locations may differ each year due to the involvement of different councils.

Placements are typically undertaken between November and January, but can be at different times of the year if circumstances require.

Itineraries and accommodation are coordinated by the rural councils hosting the placement.

Applications for the 2025-26 Bush Bursary Program open May 5 and close July 28.