Former Kingaroy student awarded university scholarship

'I can't believe it. This is going to be really helpful with putting me through uni and living on campus at Cromwell College'.

WELL DONE: Former Kingaroy student Meghann Plant was awarded the Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship by Stephanie Denman from South Burnett Women, at the International Women's Day luncheon in Kingaroy. Picture: Madeline Grace

FORMER Kingaroy State School student Meghann Plant has been awarded the prestigious annual Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship to assist her in her tertiary studies.

Ms Plant is just two weeks into her pre-med degree at The University of Queensland in Brisbane.

"I can't believe it. This is going to be really helpful with putting me through uni and living on campus at Cromwell College,” she said.

"I'm honoured that they thought I embodied the values of their usual scholarship winner. This means so much to me.”

After realising she was passionate about biology and lab research in high school, Ms Plant began investigating her future career options.

"I figured out biology was for me in my junior years at Kingaroy State High School,” she said.

"Although I do love the idea of lab research, I just felt like I needed that sense of human interaction. Which I feel medicine will provide.

"I have provisional entry to medicine and am currently studying biomedicine. So that's seven years of study all up, which is a bit of a long haul but I think it's worth it because that's what I want to do with my life.”

Moving from the South Burnett to the big smoke for study can be a tough transition. However, Ms Plant said with the help of her support system she has found her feet.

"It's been a big two weeks. Lots and lots of information. But I wasn't expecting anything less,” she said.

"So far uni has proved really interesting. I'm enjoying my time at UQ and at college.”

Ms Plant said her older brother was already in Brisbane and being at Cromwell College has made the transition from high school to university much easier.

"The first week at college was super full-on and intense. I was exhausted by the end of it. But I feel so supported by my RA and corridor and I just know I've already made life long friends,” she said.

The annual Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship (worth $5000) was awarded to Ms Plant at the South Burnett International Women's Day Luncheon in Kingaroy.

When reflecting on feminism, Ms Plant said to her International Women's Day is about being grateful.

"I'm just so lucky to be in the position I am,” she said.

"I'm so lucky to be able to move to Brisbane, to attend university, to live on campus at a college, and to be able to be a doctor one day.

"Doctor Ellen Mary Kent Hughes was a paediatrician and back then it would have been so much harder for her to be a doctor. It's incredible women like her who have been working against sexism, who have given me the opportunity to study what I want and live the life I want.”