Ben has big plans as he begins UNSW medicine degree

HE HAS seen first hand the life-changing work of medicine and has been granted a scholarship to study it at UNSW.

Ben Jones, 18, is an Aboriginal student from Westleigh who has been awarded the 2016 Balnaves Foundation Scholarship, to study medicine at UNSW.

“Medicine is about having the opportunity to positively contribute to the health and wellbeing of those around you,” Ben Jones said.

“There is no other career opportunity that does this, the broadness of society is the most important aspect of medicine.”

Starting his first days of a six-year degree in medicine, Mr Jones said that the learning never really stops at the end of your studies at university.

“My mother has always been a big supporters of education and health,” Mr Jones said.

“She taught me the significance of education in indigenous societies and the drive to help others, without her influence in these fields I don’t know where I would be. There is such a broad range of options, as an indigenous medical practitioner of the future I would hope to eventually practice medicine with a respectful understanding and connection to the first nations people of Australia.”

Whether he chooses to practice medicine in a rural or metropolitan area, Mr Jones is set on making a difference, not only to indigenous people, but to everyone.

“The scholarship I was selected for will provide the opportunity for financial assistance for my studies,” Mr Jones said.

“To further my dedication to the degree I will be living on campus. Without this financial burden, I will have more time to spend time in health societies and volunteer programs, which will include the elderly communities, the indigenous communities and the disabled.”

Story by Jake McCallum of the Hornsby Advocate. Read original story here.

Ben entered medicine through the Pre-Medicine Indigenous Entry Program run by UNSW's Rural Clinical School and Nura Gili.