Sarai embarks on career dream
Thursday, 17 April 2008

Sarai Atkinson dreams of becoming a physiotherapist are one step closer. Sarai ventured off to the big city earlier this year to study at the University of Melbourne.

The Notre Dame College Year 12 graduate is one of Shepparton's Indigenous role models and is a high achiever in school, sport and in life.

She plans to complete the first year of a Bachelor of Science this year and then apply to study physiotherapy.

"University is far different from high school," Sarai laughed when we spoke with her this week. "I haven't been home for three weeks and I'm really feeling it."

She agreed it was a huge adjustment moving to Melbourne from Shepparton and that she missed her family and home.

"It is a challenge (being at university) but I know it's gonna be worth it so I'm gonna stick at it."

Sarai was the 2007 Ganbina Youth of the Year and her spirits were boosted earlier this month when she was awarded a Rotary Tertiary Scholarship to support her during her university studies.

Sarai will continue to travel back to Shepparton throughout the year and plans to keep her commitment to her netball passion and will play with the Rumbalara Football Netball Club for the 2008-2009 season.