The CWA has sent out a challenge to other organisations to help raise funds for the scholarship so that it can raise enough to become a perpetuating award for medical students studying in the New England area.

Currently the scholarship kitty stands at about $45,000, but the organisers would like to see that amount double to ensure the future of the scholarship.

The scholarship was established and named after the local doctor John Nevin, one of New England’s longest serving physicians.

Dr Nevin was himself a recipient of a scholarship awarded by the Treloar family of Tamworth.

Dr Marie Puxty was on hand to accept the cheque on behalf of the New England Division of General Practice. It is hoped that the scholarship will draw students to regional study and, eventually, practice.

“We hope they’ll go into rural practice,” Dr Puxty said.

“That’s the aim. This is another method of trying to improve the rural medical workforce problems that exists in most country areas.”

The scholarship is open to students from a rural background. It is a one-off payment awarded to the student most likely to use the money for the benefit of the rural community.

Applications for the second year of the scholarship are expected to re-open in February.