Alana welcomes Price of success

Alana won a $5000 scholarship to kick start her Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health program at the University of Wollongong this year.

The daughter of Batemans Bay Public School assistant principal Julia Maley, Alana said she would use the three-year degree program to determine her field.

“Since 2015, I have undertaken casual employment at Capital Chemist in Batemans Bay,” she told the crowd at the award ceremony last week at Moruya Golf Club.

“What started out as a part-time job, with some interest in the medical discipline, particularly in pharmacy, soon developed into a strong desire to pursue a career in the medical and health profession.

“My interests lie in the field of health practice and medical research. Pathology, optometry and pharmacology are all considered so far.”

Her role model was an aunt working in rural and remote Australia in gynaecology and obstetrics: “She has been an true inspiration with her tireless work in women’s health.”

Fellow Carroll College graduate Lawson Roser and St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee, graduate Meg McCallum also won scholarships.

Meg said she would repay the faith Mogo surgeon Dr Sanjay Singh and the scholarship board showed her “with the effort I put into my studies”.

She will study psychology at the ANU and hopes to “return to an area like this, where I can contribute to the continued advancement in scientific understanding of the brain and mental health and, hence, towards a brighter future”.

“This grant will be a huge support towards the beginning of my journey and will go a long way towards helping me achieve my goals,” Meg said.

Lawson said his work experience stint at Dr Singh’s day surgery cemented his desire to study medicine at the University of NSW.

“That was a real eye-opener,” Lawson said.

“I saw a bunch of procedures; it was an awesome experience.”

The first winner of the Singh major scholarship, five years ago, was Jesse Ekin, now completing his medical studies in Melbourne.

Dr Singh launched the scholarships to honour his father, a former street kid who taught him the power of goals.