Vet student wins bank scholarship

EMMA McTavish is Community Bank Heathcote & District’s 2023 Rural Scholarship winner.

The Costerfield local is studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and has a keen interest in rural veterinary services.

She said the scholarship would allow her to complete professional placements without worrying about how to pay for travel, accommodation, and food.

Ms McTavish was already a qualified veterinarian with two years of industry experience when she returned to study to focus on livestock veterinary services after realising there was a large shortage of vets practicing in this field.

She said her family had joked that the recent closure of veterinary services in Heathcote gave her the opportunity to open a surgery of her own.

“I keep telling them not yet,” she said. “But I’ve told mum she will be opening and a running a cat sanctuary from home when I return.”

Bank branch manager Teri Johnson said the scholarships were an important part of helping district students with their studies.

“Community Bank Heathcote & District along with Bendigo Bank Nagambie are always thrilled to be able to support our rural customers with ways that we can improve our rural way of life,” she said.

“Our support of Emma with this scholarship will help bring livestock veterinary services to Heathcote.”

Applications for Community Bank Heathcote & District and Bendigo Bank Nagambie Tertiary Scholarships will open later this year for first time university or TAFE students.