Rural Scholarships: Learning to Give Back
Meet the Nelsons: 20-year-old Australian bush triplets raised in the Riverina Region. Kate, Phoebe and Timothy spent most of their child and teenage years in Tooleybuc, a small NSW town located on the border of NSW and Victoria, where they learned the thick and thin of rural life.
Understanding the difficulties rural communities face, the Nelsons are studying with the aim to be part of the solution. After finishing their degrees in Education and Nursing, they intend to return to their belovedTooleybuc, to give back to the community that has encouraged them to dream big.
A defining moment in Timothy’s life was during a local AFL match, when a player suffered a compound fracture in his leg. While waiting for the ambulance, the only medical assistance he received was from an off-duty paramedic who was in the stands. The ambulance took two and a half hours to arrive.
That night, Timothy Nelson - now a RAS Foundation scholar - decided he wanted to become a nurse and work in rural communities. Motivated by the severe lack of high-quality medical access in rural and remote areas, Timothy is now working towards completing a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Sturt University (CSU). “With my nursing degree, I hope to be able to help to satisfy this need”, he says.
Timothy is not the only one who wants to improve the access that rural communities have to essential services. His older sisters, Phoebe and Kate, also RAS Foundation scholars, are both studying a Bachelor of Education at CSU.
Kate believes the numerous lockdowns across Australia have highlighted the growing need for teachers in rural communities. “It encourages me to complete my degree at a high standard, so I am able to contribute to society as positively as I can”, she explains.
Growing up in the bush
The Nelsons grew up moving across the Riverina Region, starting a new life in a different town, every time their parents’ teaching jobs required it. Despite all of this travel, the triplets spent most of their school years in Tooleybuc, a small town of 250 people located 900 KM from Sydney, on the Victorian border.
Over the years, the siblings have experienced the challenges that rural life brings to young people. “Having lived in rural towns all my life, I know what it is like to feel separated from many of the metropolitan luxuries so, as a teacher, I will have a developed understanding of the challenges of living in the rural Australian bush”, Kate says.
They have seen their communities face several issues including isolation, drought, floods, mouse plagues, rising food and fuel costs, Influenza and Covid-19, among others. “I continue to seek an understanding of the many challenges a small rural and remote community face and look forward to graduating and being a contributor to the future educational needs of our rural communities”, says Phoebe.
Regardless of these challenges, the Nelsons are proud of their roots. “The country life has shaped who I am, and I would not want it any other way”, affirms Timothy.
Studying for the future of rural communities
With the support of the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships, the Nelsons have been able to pursue their dream and study degrees that will allow them to give back to their community. “I want to make a difference in the lives of my students and support the communities reliant on their success”, Phoebe said.
Reiterating her sister’s passion, Kate said her goal is “is to teach in a rural school, where I am able to strengthen community ties and empower my students with the skills they will need to achieve their dreams”. Conscious of the lack of services in remote areas, the Nelson’s are preparing themselves to be a part of the solution, “I believe a quality education is one of the most powerful keys, which enables a better future for individuals. It allows individuals to learn to reach for their potential and aspire towards their goals,” shared Phoebe.
Funding this passion, the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships aim to support students like the Nelsons and provide the financial backing to help them achieve their dreams of giving back. Ultimately helping to build a brighter, stronger and more resilient regional and rural NSW by investing in the next generation.
