By Mary Gough
I cannot even begin to put into words how appreciative I am for AVCAT and the opportunities I have gained through their support. My names is Mary Gough and thanks to AVCAT and the Department of Veterans Affairs I am able to put myself through medical school. I received the AVCAT Long Tan Bursary at the beginning of 2024. I had just moved out of home and commenced my medical studies. I fondly remember sitting in orientation on my first day of medicine when I got the call. I was ecstatic, this meant I could afford to support myself through my studies.
“Without the support of AVCAT and the Long Tan Bursary I would not be where I am today and would not be fortunate enough to become a doctor.“
I come from a large and interesting family. My mother was one of five children, my father one of four and myself one of five. My mother’s side of the family has a long history of military service going as far back as my great great grandfather on my grandmother’s side. He and his son, both named William Andrews, served in the British navy during World War II. My great great grandfather became lost at sea and his son was a prisoner of war for some time before returning at the end of the war. My other great grandfather, Arthur Henry Gough, on my grandfather’s side also served in the British Army from 1937 to 1947 during World War II. My grandfather Derek Gough, on my mother’s side, served in the Australian Army from 1957 to 1983, doing two tours in Vietnam. He then went on to serve as a United Nations peacekeeper and finally entered the police force. His son, my uncle, Richard Gough served in the Australian army from 1997 to 2000. My grandfather’s commitment to the Australian people inspired many of his children to join the defence force and police and continues today to inspire my generation to serve Australia.
Despite this my immediate family underwent a lot of hardship during my life. Unfortunately, my mother, Sarah Gough, has suffered with mental health issues throughout her life subsequently limiting her ability to work. This resulted in my family enduring a lot of hardships, particularly financial, throughout my childhood and education. My father Francesco Pintus, a beautiful man who essentially adopted me, lost his battle with cancer last year. As such my year 12 and transition to university was turbulent. Because I grew up in Kalgoorlie at the start of Uni I moved out of home and became independent for the first time. I not only had to adjust to the heavy study load of medicine but also learn to live independently and financially support myself.
Although my pathway to university was difficult, I am perpetually grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had this year. I have not only enjoyed studying medicine but also the fantastic social and volunteering activities I have been privileged to engage in this year. This year I had the opportunity to participate in many university clubs, including the Curtin Association of Medical Students. One fantastic event we participated in was Relay for Life through which we raised money to fight cancer. Furthermore, I was able to participate in Teach Learn Grow’s Rural program, in which we went to a primary school in rural WA to tutor children. Without the support of AVCAT and the long Tan Bursary, I would not be where I am today and would not be fortunate enough to become a doctor.