Ashlene was the 2008 recipient of the John White Memorial Scholarship through the NSW Farmers’ Association for her studies in Medicine at the University of Newcastle.

Ashlene’s passion for rural health secured her the scholarship, which she says made it possible for her to study at the University.

“I come from a farming family which like many is dealing with the financial strain of many years of drought,” said Ashlene.

“This scholarship went a way to relieving some of the financial pressure on myself and my family, allowing me to concentrate fully on my studies. The NSW Farmers’ Association is kind enough to make these scholarships available and I would encourage all those eligible to apply.”

Ashlene has now completed her degree in Medicine, the final year of which she undertook at the University of Newcastle’s Rural Clinical School in Tamworth. Ashlene will remain in Tamworth for the next two years, where she will work as an intern at the Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital - a step she hopes will equip her with the skills to contribute to other rural communities in the future.

According to NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie, the scholarships program has been running for 16 years, with more than 80 graduates across NSW benefiting from the receipt of an Association scholarship.

“People in country NSW are doing it tough at the moment, and cost is a major barrier for students hoping to attend university,” Mr Laurie said.

“At a time when financial pressures are really being felt by farming families and rural communities, students away from home to go to uni or do other tertiary training are really feeling the pinch.”

The majority of the scholarships, each worth $5000, are funded by the Association, while two are underwritten by the Goobang Group.

Applications are open to Association Members or children of Members, who are full-time students studying at a recognised tertiary institution.

The applicant, their partner or their parents must have been full Members of the Association for at least the past two years to qualify.

Applications close on Friday 30 January 2009, so download an application form from the Association’s website: www.nswfarmers.org.au and post or fax it to the Association.