A new education scholarship offered by North Canterbury Rural Women New Zealand member Beverley Forrester has been awarded to physiotherapy student Travis Henderson from Te Awamutu.

The $1000 scholarship will contribute towards course costs for Travis to complete a physiotherapy degree at the University of Otago.

Henderson is in his third year and intends to use the degree to work in rural healthcare.
"Growing up in a family with strong rural connections has given me first hand experience of rural healthcare services," he says.

"Once I have finished my degree, I hope to establish a physiotherapy practice in a rural area, with the focus on making healthcare more accessible and affordable for the rural population."

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Royalties from sales of Beverley Forrester's book The Farm at Black Hills will fund the scholarship.

The book is about Forrester's farm and her international fashion brand, which uses wool produced by the corriedale and romney sheep bred on her hill country farm. The fashion garments have featured on the catwalk in New Zealand and overseas.

She reviewed the scholarship applications and says Travis' application stood out, as she herself is a qualified occupational therapist.

"When I did my training, I thought that three years of training and a two-year bond was a lifetime, little knowing that 36 years later I would still be practising.

"I wish Travis well on his chosen profession and congratulate him on his success in attaining this scholarship."

Two $1000 scholarships are still on offer for applicants undertaking tertiary study in 2018. Applications close February 28.

* Go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz and search Beverley Forrester for more information and to download and application.