An international work placement has shown Wangoom’s Ella Titmus that there’s a wide world of animals needing veterinary care.
Ultimately Ella expects to focus on cattle when she completes her veterinary science studies at James Cook University Townsville, supported by a DemoDAIRY Foundation tertiary scholarship.
However, the course has led her to a placement in South Africa where she travelled with a vet around a small region bordering the Kruger National Park, attending to rhino, lion, cheetah, numerous antelope species, giraffe and lots of buffalo and wildebeest.
“It was really interesting to see their difference to cattle,” Ella said. “The main thing that surprised me about their management was their inability to use yards (due to animal handling stress) so every animal that had to be moved was required to be darted by the vet.”
While Ella said the placement was an opportunity of a lifetime, unfortunately she didn’t get to attend a cattle farm. “However, the vet I was traveling with from South Africa grew up with cattle, so it was fascinating conversing with her about the industry over there,” she said.
Ella is in her fourth year of study and has started more clinical studies including bovine, equine and small animal medicine, basic surgery practicals weekly, radiography, anaesthesiology, calf pulling simulations and clinical pathology. “This is our last year of theory and content; our final year is based around clinical rotations and workshops which is really exciting.”
Ella has been traveling home to do clinical placements in South West Victoria including Cobden and Ballarat. “It’s really exciting to finally be in a clinical setting and starting to put my knowledge into practice,” she said. “The area has some extraordinary vets who are a wealth of knowledge and it is an amazing opportunity to learn from them in the field.”
The DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship has been a major source of support for Ella. “The scholarship has definitely reduced my financial stress and allowed me to travel abroad and make the most of opportunities that come my way,” she said.
“The past few years I have put the scholarship towards my HECs debt which has been an amazing help and has allowed me to afford to travel home for placements. I am so incredibly grateful for the DemoDAIRY scholarship, we are very fortunate to have such an amazing foundation in the Great South West.”
DemoDAIRY Foundation and Powell Legacy Fund applications for 2025 scholarships are now open and close November 15.
DemoDAIRY Foundation (DDF) has a range of scholarships available and also administers the Powell Legacy Fund (PLF) which honours the memory of the late Ross Powell and Andrew Powell and their passion for volunteering, education and agriculture.
Visit https://www.demodairy.com.au/scholarships-and-grants/ for more information or contact secretary Ian Teese on 0427 358987 or info@demodairy.com.au