Future local doctor Hannah Hawker.
The closure of the Parkes maternity ward has inspired a Parkes student to pursue a career in medicine to make a difference in our community.
Hannah Hawker is one of 69 recipients of this year’s RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships. “I decided to pursue a career in medicine when my local hospital maternity unit closed because we could not attract an obstetrician to the area,” said Hannah. “This unit serviced Parkes and all of the small surrounding localities of mostly farming families. I hope I can make a difference by filling a gap and providing top quality accessible and long-term health care.”
Hannah, who was born and raised in Parkes, completed her studies in secondary teaching at university in the Riverina. “I am now retraining through Charles Sturt University’s medical program in Orange.”
The RAS scholarship is designed to financially support rural and regional students, studying at university, college or TAFE, and are aimed at students who are passionate about applying their knowledge and skills within regional communities. RASF Rural Scholarship recipients will receive financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study, made possible with the assistance of generous donors.