For Chelsea Hicks, growing up on a dairy farm in Calivil instilled a strong sense of community and commitment to helping others. Today, as a midwife at Echuca Regional Health, she’s using those same values to give back to the region that raised her.
“I’m really passionate about my career in healthcare, particularly in regional areas,” Chelsea said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see patients come in, grow in confidence, and go home healthy. I feel so grateful to be part of that.”
Chelsea’s journey was made possible through a Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarship, which she received in 2020 to study a Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery.
“The scholarship meant I could attend university with a lot less stress on my shoulders,” she explained. “I was able to travel for placements, afford accommodation in metro areas, and focus on learning instead of worrying about money.”
Without that support, Chelsea said her studies might have looked very different.
“I probably would have had to drop back to part-time study just to work enough to afford placements. I wouldn’t be standing where I am today without Gardiner’s support.”
Now firmly established in her career, Chelsea is proud to be giving back to rural Victoria through her work in maternal and newborn care, strengthening regional healthcare one family at a time.
“I always hoped to return to a regional community and give back to the dairy community,” she said. “Thanks to Gardiner, I’ve been able to do exactly that.”
Watch Chelsea’s story to see how Gardiner’s Tertiary Scholarships continue to support young people who bring their skills and passion home to regional Victoria.