MANSFIELD'S own Arabella Green is one of eight aspiring rural doctors who are a step closer to realising their dream, as they embark on a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) at La Trobe University's Albury Wodonga campus.
Each year 15 rural and regional students are selected to study at either La Trobe's Bendigo or Albury–Wodonga campuses before they pathway to the University of Melbourne's Doctor of Rural Medicine (Rural Pathway) in Shepparton.
Arabella was one of the highest scoring students to graduate from Mansfield Secondary College last year while also leading the school as college captain.
The program is highly competitive, with a rigorous recruitment process and high standards for the students.
This year's eight students including Arabella will be based at the Albury–Wodonga campus, with seven in Bendigo – the first time there has been more enrolled on the border than in central Victoria.
La Trobe Vice–Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, said the high calibre of applicants seeking to study at the Albury–Wodonga campus this year is very encouraging for the region.
"These impressive young people who have a passion for rural medicine will spend the next three years embedded in north–east Victoria, developing networks and gaining valuable local experience, before completing their studies in Shepparton," Professor Dewar said.
"When they emerge as qualified doctors in seven years, they will be in an ideal position to care for the people who need it most – with both a passion for, and strong awareness of, the specific health needs of regional communities."
The Murray–Darling Medical Schools Network was created to address chronic shortages of doctors in regional and rural areas by training students from the regions, in the regions.
Including this year's intake, 24 students have commenced the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) in Albury–Wodonga since the program launched in 2019.
