By STEFAN BRADLEY
THANKS to generous philanthropy from a household name in Gippsland, three Monash Rural Health students will receive financial support for three years to complete their medical program in Gippsland.
Three outstanding Gippsland medical students – Annalise Gafa, Henry Bird and Alyssa Geiberras have been named recipients of the prestigious Graeme Dyer OAM Gippsland Community Medical Scholarship, recognising their commitment to rural healthcare and passion for making a lasting impact on their communities.
The scholarship recipients had the opportunity last Friday (July 18) to meet Graeme Dyer OAM and share their aspirations for the future. They were presented with their certificates, listened to formalities and toured the Monash Rural Health facilities in Sale.
Their achievements and community-minded goals make them powerful role models for local young people considering careers in medicine – showing that a fulfilling healthcare career is possible without leaving home.
“They’re Gippsland students, so they’ll study in Gippsland, and we’ll get three extra doctors in Gippsland,” Mr Dyer told the Express.
“They’re able to stay in the country, so this is a wonderful thing. It creates jobs and opportunities at home – they don’t have the cost of moving to Melbourne.”
Hailing from Traralgon and Wonthaggi respectively, Ms Gafa and Mr Bird have paved a new pathway to medicine by entering Monash University’s medical program via the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Gippsland Partnership Program).
Having completed their undergraduate studies at Federation University in Churchill, both shared that remaining close to home throughout their studies was a crucial factor in their success. Ms Gafa has always been passionate about health and science, and enjoys working with people – medicine seemed like the perfect combination and career pathway.
“This scholarship will ease a significant amount of stress that comes with studying medicine … helping to improve my confidence in myself as a future doctor,” she said.
Mr Bird, who grew up on a farm, echoed this sentiment.
“As I progress into my medical studies, with increasing commitments and clinical placements away from home, my work-life-study balance can become increasingly stressful. This scholarship significantly reduces the stress of being a medical student living out of home,” he said.
“Whether it helps with accommodation or travel expenses, it goes a long way in supporting me to achieve my goals of being a rural doctor – and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Ms Geiberras, who grew up in Trafalgar, has chosen to undertake her Year 3B placement in West Gippsland, further demonstrating her dedication to serving regional communities. Having battled chronic fatigue during her teen years, she credits that experience – and the inspiring doctors she encountered with sparking her drive to pursue medicine.
“By pursuing a career in medicine, I have the incredible opportunity to work in Gippsland in the future and provide a much-needed service to the local community,” Ms Geiberras said.
The scholarship, she said, “will help to ease the financial pressures of placement by covering expenses such as fuel and living costs. It means there’s less pressure for me to be working outside of my degree”.
“The scholarship also makes my goal of completing placements in areas of Gippsland further from home a possibility, as it will help with the costs of living out of home.”
