A proud Wiradjuri man from Singleton on Wonnarua Country, Scott left school in year 10 to start working on a horse stud farm.

Since then, he has held numerous roles across a variety of industries. Finding his way to community services, Scott began to dream of studying medicine. Wanting to use medical skills to help his community, he began to pursue tertiary study.

“I worked in various roles and industries before starting a role in community services where I worked for five years in Indigenous youth housing prior to starting Yapug,” he said.

“Although I loved my role and working with the youth in my community, I decided I wanted to chase my dream of becoming a doctor.”

Discovering Yapug, a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for entry into undergraduate degrees, Scott knew this was his chance to become a doctor.

“Not knowing where to start this journey I began seeking advice and was soon pointed in the direction of Yapug at the University of Newcastle,” he said.

“After reading about the Yapug program, I felt it was a perfect fit for me and so I decided to apply.”

Working as a doctor isn't just a pipe dream for Scott, but also a way to role model to his two young children that with the right motivation, they can achieve anything.

“Becoming a doctor is not just my dream, but a way to further help my community by being able to provide great healthcare. It’s also a way to show my two boys that they can achieve anything in life and to teach them about the importance of education,” he said.

Speaking of his first time on campus, Scott remembers “When I attended the Yapug orientation day, I instantly felt at home. The lecturers and support staff were so welcoming and were just as excited as the students were to start this journey with us”.

Reflecting on how far he's come and the continuous improvement he’s experienced, Scott sees the benefit his pathway program will have to his undergraduate degree.

“During my studies in the Yapug program, I have learnt and continue to learn all the skills I will need to successfully move into my undergraduate degree; not only academic skills but also how to navigate the university as a whole,” he said.

Through the Yapug program and Wollotuka Institute, Scott has found a community that not only develops academic skills, but also provides opportunities and workshops to help balance life and take a step back when things get challenging.

“I remember sitting there one day feeling a little stressed and a staff member came and asked if I would like to join in on the didgeridoo making workshop that was taking place, which helped take my mind off things and relieve my stress,” he said.

Speaking of his goals for the future, Scott sees Yapug as the first step on his journey to becoming a doctor through the Joint Medical Program offered at the University of Newcastle.

“After the Yapug program, I hope to transition into the Joint Medical Program and become a doctor, where I can work in my community to help improve lives but also be in a career I am passionate about,” he said.

Scott’s advice for anyone considering studying in a pathway program is "...do it. I never thought in a million years that I would be where I am today with the skills, opportunities and support I have gained from Yapug and am so glad I took the step and applied."

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Scott Burgess

Proud Wiradjuri man, Scott, is a single father with hopes to show his children that they too can accomplish their dreams, regardless of how they started out. Currently studying Yapug, he hopes to become a doctor to give back to his community.

During my studies in the Yapug program, I have learnt and continue to learn all the skills I will need to successfully move into my undergraduate degree; not only academic skills but also how to navigate the university as a whole.

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