Samantha was among 53 others to receive a Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) 2018 Rural Scholarship. 

The RASF Rural Scholarships recognise individual students striving to make a positive impact on the future of rural and regional NSW, through University, TAFE or other accredited VET courses.

Samantha, 22, grew up on the South Coast and is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/ Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

The 2018 Nowra showgirl decided she wanted to become a large animal veterinarian after working at a veterinary hospital and on various farms when she was younger.

Samantha has a particular interest in the dairy industry and said she was motivated by the prospect of working with producers and assisting all animals from valuable stud stock to precious family pets.

RASF manager Cecilia Logan said history showed scholarship funding reaped benefits not only for the students, but their rural communities as well.

“While a desire to be a part of the future of rural NSW may already be there, the RASF Rural Scholarships assist in making that dream happen,” Ms Logan says.

“Many of these students have identified the unique needs of their local communities and are working towards giving back once they complete their studies. That may be through health, education, technology, agriculture or anything in between.”  

This year the RAS Foundation awarded 53 scholarships totalling $306,000 and has distributed $1.98 million across more than 400 scholarships in the eight years of the program.