For the majority of students the thought of starting a university degree is challenging enough, but for Cherese Cox it also included relocating and juggling time between work, study and her two young children.
Mrs Cox moved from the Gold Coast last year to enrol in the midwifery course at UQ's Ipswich campus.
After two semesters of successful study, the 37-year-old has been rewarded with the 2008 Ipswich City Council City of Ipswich scholarship, valued at $5000
Mrs Cox said her love of children was realised in her twenties when she spent time working as a nanny in England.
She travelled extensively for 10 years between Canada, England and Australia before meeting her husband and settling down on the Gold Coast.
She said it was the positive birthing experience she had with her second son which prompted her decision to change career.
"I was fortunate enough to have an amazing midwife with the birth of my last son, and a medical team that was dedicated to making it a wonderful experience for me," Mrs Cox said.
"I wanted to try a water birth, which is often not an option in the majority of public hospitals, and the birthing team made this happen for me.
"After having my own children I wanted to help women get the best possible outcome with their birthing and for me, being a midwife involves giving other women the confidence to enjoy their birthing experience.
"Working as an assistant nurse at Ipswich general hospital has helped familiarise me with the medical environment and has given me extra confidence to perform when I am on practical experience.
"During the past year of practical experience we have progressed from giving injections to assisting in birthing, which was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.
"I have assisted in seven births so far, and it is great to follow these women throughout their final stages of pregnancy, and provide support during the birthing and witness their joy afterwards with their newborn.
"Women should be able to have the choice to have a home birth and be visited by private practitioner, something that is common in countries like England but currently still shunned in Australia."
Upon graduating she would like to work for a few years with Aboriginal communities in rural areas of Australia and hopes to eventually set up her own private practice offering full holistic care for mothers and families.
Each year, the City of Ipswich scholarship recipient is chosen based on academic achievement, level of community involvement and commitment to a positive promotion of the community.
The competitive award accounts for part of the $50,000 in scholarships and prizes available to students at the Ipswich campus, much of which is sourced from local donors and organisations within the Ipswich community.
MEDIA: Victoria Bruce or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
.jpg)
