Having a gap year has paid off for Bundanoon’s Jasmine McIntosh after she was named this year’s Centenary Scholarship recipient.
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The annual Bowral and District Hospital scholarship is awarded to a Year 12 student from the Wingecarribbee Shire who is planning to undertake a health-related course at a university or college.
Miss McIntosh starts her first year of nursing at University of Wollongong next month and said the $4000 “financial leg-up” had given her some breathing room to really focus on her studies.
The 19-year-old said she had always wanted to be a nurse because she loves caring for others.
“I like to see people happy; not that they’re happy being in hospital, but being able to make their day a little happier,” she said.
“The application process for the scholarship was daunting but I walked away feeling good.
“I had a few main points I wanted to get across to the panel and I could tell they really liked my answers.”
The scholarship allows Miss McIntosh to buy all the resources she needs and more time to study.
It was established in 1989 by Bowral & District Hospital staff to acknowledge the assistance the hospital had received from the community.
Bowral and District Hospital General Manager Joel Bardsley said the calibre of applicants in this year’s scholarship were outstanding.
“And, it is wonderful to know the next generation of healthcare workers are coming through the ranks with gusto,” he said.
“If these applicants are anything to go by, our patients will be in good hands in the years to come.”
Miss McIntosh received her award in a presentation at Bowral and District Hospital on Monday afternoon.
The presentation included speeches from past award recipients including 2015 awardee Georgina Lunt, 2016 recipient Mitchell Brummell and 2017 winner Anna Isbester.
The former recipients spoke about how the scholarships helped them and offered their advice to Miss McIntosh.
The NSW Government has committed $65 million for the redevelopment of Bowral and District Hospital which includes a purpose-built clinical services building with new theatres, adult and paediatric inpatient wards, birthing suites, more single rooms with ensuites and rehabilitation spaces.
