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Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme

History of the Scholarship Scheme

The Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme was first introduced in 1944 and was originally called the Queensland State Government Scholarship Scheme (SGSS) and offered medical and dental scholarships at the University of Queensland.

Due to the success of the scheme, in 1975 it was broadened to include a number of other disciplines. In addition cadetships were offered for health inspectors and social welfare students.
In 1976 the Public Board stated that scholarship holders were not to be awarded. However exceptions could be made, where there was a shortfall of graduate staff to carry out work for Governments. Without the scheme many rural vacancies would remain unfilled which lead to the continuation of medical and dental scholarships.

By 1990, medical and dental scholarships remained, with pharmacy scholarships being reintroduced for students entering their second or third year of study.

By 1996 approval was gained for Queensland Health to manage its own scholarship scheme. A reference group was established to guide the project in preparation for the departmental initiative to locate the Queensland Health rural scholarship scheme to the Office of Rural Health (based in Roma) from 1 November 1997.