The grant is available to tertiary students about to begin the second year or higher of any health-related degree.

Interviews and the presentation of grants took place on December 16 2011 at the Walgett CWA Rooms.

All applicants were able to be present, except one, who was not able to get to Walgett because of flooding and closed roads.

This applicant was interviewed on the phone. In this 13th year of the Medical Grant, there were nine applicants.

$15,000 was distributed among the nine recipients, who were Natasha Martinez (Pharmacy), Stephanie Moore (Nursing/Midwifery), Roberta Friend (Nursing), Robert Martinez (Physiotherapy), Fergus Duncan (Science/ Physiological Science), Peta Cameron (Exercise and Sports Science), Leonie Gawthorpe (Exercise Science/

Psychology), Rebecca Claus (Pharmacy) and Sky Holland (Sport and Exercise).

Barwon Group would like to thank the sponsors of the Medical Grant this year - Walgett Shire Council, Walgett Pharmacy, Soroptimists International (Lightning Ridge), NSW Outback Division of General Practice Ltd, Lightning Ridge Bowling Club, Walgett Charity Bushman’s Carnival, Lightning Ridge Electrical, Special One Co-operative Ltd, National Australia Bank, White’s Pharmacy (Lightning Ridge), Rabo Bank, Walgett Ag ‘n Vet, the Walgett Cotton Grower’s Association, Yawarra Meamei Women’s Group Inc. (Lightning Ridge), the Walgett/Come-By B & S Society, Walgett IGA, Irritek Moree, Lightning Ridge Rotary Club, Supersave Lightning Ridge, Week’s Newsagency (Lightning Ridge), B & W Rural (Moree), Donna Gilmour Pty Ltd (Moree), Geronimo Farm Equipment (Walgett) and the members of the six branches which make up Barwon Group of CWA.

Appreciation goes to grant recipients from 2010, who sold raffle tickets in mid-2011 to raise funds for this year’s grant.

Thanks also to the judging panel who assisted with grant selections this year - Melissa Ozoux Walgett/Come-By B & S Society), Fiona Mead (Rural Financial Counsellor, representing the community at large) and Don Ramsland (Walgett Shire Council general manager).

Jocelyn Cameron

Barwon Group CWA Publicity Officer