ONE of four Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Give Them wings’ scholarships has been awarded to Wallan occupational therapy student Chelsea Mussett.
The $2500 scholarship is offered by the service’s Victorian branch to support first year students studying allied health with university living and studying expenses.
It also offers recipients the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Flying Doctor – on the road with service teams, with road patient-transport staff or in the air with a flight crew.
As Ms Mussett studies at Monash University’s Peninsula campus in Frankston, she decided to move on-campus rather than deal with the two-hour commute.
Like most first year students, the idea moving away from home is daunting but Ms Mussett said the scholarship will greatly assist with her living expenses.
“Moving has been a roller-coaster ride of countless notes and essays, studying hard, making new friends, remembering I have to cook for myself and do my own washing but I am absolutely loving it all,” she said.
“I chose to study Occupational Therapy because I wanted to assist people regain function physically, mentally and emotionally and allow them to continue to lead healthy and purposeful lives.
“I’m looking forward to the chance to spending ‘a day in the life of a Flying Doctor’ which will allow me to experience first-hand how the RFDS supports the community.”
RFDS Victoria Chief Executive Scott Chapman said the Flying Doctor is proud to support young regional and rural Victorians who aspire to provide health care in rural areas through the ‘Give Them Wings’ scholarship.
“These scholarships are another way we can work to improve health outcomes in Victoria,” he said.
“The bush needs more health workers of all kinds. These scholarships encourage young people to return to regional and rural areas once they graduate.”
