Leeton Shire Council has endorsed its participation as a host in this year's Bush Bursary/Country Women's Association scholarship program.

The NSW Rural Doctors Network offers Bush Bursary and CWA Scholarships, which provide selected medical students in the state and ACT with funding to assist with costs associated with their studies.

In return, students spend two weeks on a rural placement in country NSW during their university holidays.

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This means a student will be spending a fortnight in Leeton this year. 

While it is only a short amount of time, the hope is they get a taste of country life and the town they are in and consider returning at the end of their studies. 

Community development co-ordinator Sarah Collis believes the program is a valuable one. 

"The student (last year) provided feedback to council stating their experience in Leeton was very positive and the placement has strengthened their desire to do rural medicine," she said.

"It was also advised the student developed strong relationships with placement hosts with two offering to support the student in further placements.

"Feedback was also received suggesting students be billeted with host families during their stay rather than be left to live on their own."

Typically, as part of the scholarship, the student is placed in accommodation in the shire.

Leeton mayor Paul Maytom council has supported the Bush Bursary program for more than eight years.

"Leeton Shire Council commits $3000 funding each financial year for the placement of one or two Bush Bursary/CWA scholarship medical students in our shire," he said.

"Council has continued to support the program with the aim of providing students with a valuable experience of medicine and lifestyle in a rural setting in their pre-clinical years."

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