Issac’s path to a long-held dream
Isaac Crawford, 19, has had a long-held dream to practice medicine.
Understanding it would be hard work to achieve the high VCE score required to be accepted to study medicine, he found another pathway that would enable him to transfer at a later date and still realise his dream of becoming a doctor.
Isaac completed his VCE at Cobram Secondary College, achieving an excellent result but falling short of the score he needed.
Yet, the teenager remains confident that he can still achieve his aim.
At the beginning of this year, Isaac was awarded a scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University in Bundoora.
The young Cobram man is thoroughly enjoying life on campus in the Menzies student accommodation, which houses many country students.
Isaac proposes to travel to the USA and remote parts of Australia, in between completing his course, and remains determined to achieve his ultimate dream.
“I won’t lose sight of my goal, I will just take it a little easier, and it will take a while longer,” Isaac said.
This year he has been returning to Cobram each weekend, and during university breaks, to work at the Sporties either in the bar, café or at the beach café.
“Compared to school, the stress level is significantly reduced at university, yet it probably depends on what you study,” he said.
“Most of the course is online, and it’s very different to secondary school where we were spoon-fed.”
Isaac’s parents and his two younger siblings now live in Essendon and while mum Kate works at Qantas, dad Tony is an IT consultant.
Isaac will continue to live on-campus for the time being.
He enjoys the life in Melbourne, yet loves coming back to Cobram. Is he living every young man’s dream? Perhaps he is!
Isaac is the grandson of Cobram’s Chris Crawford and Rod Crawford.
Good news for Cobram diners
Great news for those who love fine dining. A stylish licensed restaurant will be opening within the next three weeks in Cobram, bringing with it a sensational dining experience focussing on the finest local products and including the best of Victorian wines.
All will be revealed next week.
Casey does it again
For several years now, Casey Petrie has had a special reason to train hard at her swimming. Determined to always do her best, she remains hopeful of selection to compete for her country at the Special Olympics.
Her recent success at the Melbourne Inner East Special Olympic qualifiers is bringing her closer to that goal.
“I was in the first event for the day and couldn’t believe I came first in my category of F1 in the 100m backstroke,” Casey said.
Casey not only took out first place in the 100m backstroke, she also scored a second place in the 50m backstroke, second place in the 50m freestyle and a fourth placing in the relay where she was the only female, joining three male members of the Echuca club in the event.
“I am surprised to have done so well. I went in with a different attitude and paced myself, and it worked,” she said.
Casey will now compete in the second round of trials during July, at the Nationals in August, and then the state games in September.
It takes dedication for the 40-year-old woman to maintain her training schedule, and Casey relies on a good friend to get her to the indoor facility in Echuca once or twice a week.
Casey also rides with Cobram Riding for the Disabled, which she loves, and works one day each week at Sporties in hospitality.
She has quite a full life and makes the most of each day.
Let’s hope her biggest day is yet to come.
Soroptomists movie afternoon
Cobram Barooga Soroptomists will host a movie afternoon at Cobram Community Cinema on July 16 at 1pm when movie buffs have an opportunity to relax and enjoy Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum and Woody Harrelson starring in Fly Me To The Moon.
The movie, a recently-released comedy/drama, has received excellent reviews and will be followed with a delicious Devonshire tea.
Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased via www.trybooking.com/CSXAD/
Junior speakers showcase their skills
Barooga Public School students exhibited a rare ability for public speaking when they took to the stage in the finals of the Barooga Lions junior public speaking competition.
The students captivated the audience with well-researched and animated presentations, which saw stage two students share their favourite book characters and stage three students explain the most influential person in their life.
In a closely fought competition, Harper Paroissien (Grade 4) was judged winner of stage two, while Adele Maughan (Grade 6) was victorious in stage three.
The two girls will now go on to contest the regional finals after the school holidays.