The opportunity to study medicine and fulfil an ambition to make a real contribution to health and wellbeing of Australian society brought Anna across the country from Melbourne to Notre Dame’s School of Medicine, Fremantle.
A graduate in Biomedical Science from Melbourne University Anna has offset expenses involved in living far from her hometown in northern Victoria with the help of a Fremantle Heart Patients scholarship (2017) and the Catenian Association Province 20 Youth scholarship ($4,000) in 2018.
Anna was born in Nathalia, Victoria and attended school there at St. Mary of the Angels Secondary College until 2011. Between 2012 and 2014 she read Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne, where she was awarded Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship. She resided at St Mary’s College, Parkville which is affiliated with that University. In 2013 she achieved a full blue for sport.
She came from the other side to enrol at the University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle campus) in 2015. In 2017 she received the Dean of Medicine commendation for outstanding performance in her three years of medical studies – she achieved a distinction. She graduated as a Doctor of Medicine on the 12 December 2018 after 7 years of tertiary effort. At the awards ceremony she received a further commendation for obtaining a distinction each year of the degree.
Her family came from the East to congratulate her and enjoy her success. It was a double celebration for the family as her younger sister, Helena graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Asian Studies and a diploma of Mandarin from Melbourne University. Helena is about to work at Canberra. Her brother Alex is an undergraduate at Melbourne University. Her parents Ruth and Nick are now “home alone” as they teach at St.Mary of the Angels.
Anna plans to specialise in critical care and commenced in early January, at Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, having spent Xmas and New Year with her family.
Earlier in December she was presented with a certificate from the Youth Support Project and the University of Notre Dame Australia.
The presentation was at the Fremantle Campus by Professor Selma Alliex (Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of Fremantle Campus ) and Colin Broun Vice-President of the Youth Support Fund. The assistance of Fiona Whittles and Stefania Demurtas at Notre Dame in arranging the presentation and producing the certificate and supplying morning tea is appreciated as is the support of Professor Alliex. Colin retired from medical practice in 2016 so it was fitting that our “old-timer” was able to conduct the handover.
Anna has previously expressed her appreciation to the Catenians for their generosity to herself.
We wish Anna every success and happiness. Anna is a fine young lady who will succeed in anything she puts her mind to.
