The 2022 Greg Norris Memorial Health Scholarship recipients, Olivia Marie Bittner and Jym Feer-Ah Nagashima, look forward to one day making a contribution to health care in the Huon Valley.

The aim of the scholarship is to assist Huon Valley residents to study in the health field of their choosing.

Olivia has chosen to study physiotherapy based on her own experience as a physio patient and seeing the importance of the role in the community. There are many different specialties Olivia would like to work in, however, she is particularly interested in pelvic floor health and geriatric physiotherapy in rural areas.

Jym has chosen to study nursing in the hope of providing holistic care to every person in her community, but especially those in rural areas who would otherwise not be reached by mainstream health providers.

Mayor Bec Enders said the Council is pleased to provide the scholarship program annually as part of its commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, and the sustainability of health services in the Huon Valley.

The scholarship program honors the memory of former Huon Valley Mayor, the late Greg Norris, who was very passionate about having quality health services in the Huon Valley.

“We wish Olivia and Jym all the best for their studies,” said Mayor Enders said.

“Like many remote and rural locations in Australia, the Huon Valley is in great need of more health service professionals to support the health and wellbeing of our communities. And so, it is reassuring to hear the stories from young people and how they intend to make a difference to rural health.

“With their passion for the professions they’ve chosen, I’m sure they will make an outstanding and important contribution to the communities they choose to work in.”