There is plenty of buzz about Bathurst's 'beekeeping doctor'. When Anthony Taylor is not helping his apiarist parents, he can be found in lectures or in rural hospitals around the state studying medicine.
The 19-year-old's passion for rural medicine has earned him one of the The Land's $7500 Rural Medical Scholarship for 2019. Anthony, a second year medical student from the University of NSW, grew up in Bathurst where he attended St Stanislaus College.
But because his parents Warren and Rose Taylor run Australian Queen Bee Exporters, which has hives located across the state's west, he spent much of his time in towns like Coonamble and Coonabarabran.
"I got to experience life out there where there is a shortage of doctors, which is one of the reasons why I went into medicine," he said.
The other reason why he started studying medicine was because of his father Warren, who was diagnosed with type two diabetes, suffered a mini stroke and overcame prostate cancer.
"In actual fact, he was a big contributor in my decision to pursue medicine. After seeing the pain and suffering he went through, I became so thankful not only for him, but also for medicine," he said.
"My dad always told his friends that I decided to go into medicine because "he's not smart enough to be a beekeeper". It's always easiest just to agree with him."
After finishing his degree, Anthony wants to practice medicine in a rural or regional area.
"Since I can remember, I've always been immersed in the country during my travels with the bees, and appreciate the unique sense of community associated within these towns," he said.
"Rural communities became an extension of family and I was always taught the importance of helping your family, particularly from my mum, who has assisted countless family members in her country of origin, the Philippines. Mum only told me the other day that Grenfell has no doctor in emergency but has a couple of monitors, that makes me want to practice in the country more."
Anthony said he was grateful for The Land's Rural Medical Scholarship, which provided support for his future studies. "When all is said and done, I will be practicing in a rural area, making a difference in my community. Let's not forget managing a beekeeping operation on the side too," he said.
- Next week: meet our second 2019 scholarship winner, Sally Groat.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
