Anglican Church Grammar School’s 2019 dux George Walker has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship from USC Sunshine Coast to pursue his ambition to become a doctor.

George, 17, of Woolloongabba is studying a three-year Medical Science degree at USC that has provisional direct entry to a Doctor of Medicine with Griffith University at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute.

He said receiving a prestigious Renouf Family Scholarship, established by Sir Clem Renouf to provide outstanding new USC students with financial support during their undergraduate studies, would make a huge difference.

“Medicine is an infamously long and hard road,” George said. “This funding will no doubt provide welcome relief from some of the pressure and enable me to focus more on my studies and enjoy an element of financial freedom.”

After gaining an OP1 last year, George chose to study Medical Science at USC after seeing that course numbers for that degree were capped at 20.

“The size of the course cohort was the biggest factor that ultimately led to my decision to study at USC,” said George, who is currently studying online from his family home in Woolloongabba.

“Having a smaller group means not only a more personalised education, but I think it will also deliver a more genuine learning experience in the eventual hospital setting. I think I’d feel like a needle in a haystack in a larger city-based institution.

“Further to that, even though it sounds like a cliché, I really do love helping people and I think that’s a trait that’s necessary to have the motivation to pursue a career in medicine.”

George, who has been teaching himself guitar on top of his medical studies while social distancing requirements are in place, said he was looking forward to returning to student accommodation at Sippy Downs soon.

“I can’t wait to make the most of the beaches on the Sunshine Coast and am excited to start surfing,” he said.

— Megan Woodward