Working in the health sector has been a long-standing ambition for Neave Kapoor, and one that grew stronger during her time on Albury's Youth Council in 2015 and 2016.
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She was able to learn more about what her career might look like from Albury doctor Amanda Cohn.
Today the pair crossed paths again when Cr Cohn, acting as Albury mayor, presented Ms Kapoor with a scholarship that would bring her goal one step closer.
"Medicine is something I've wanted to do for pretty much my entire life," she said.
"I was always interested in social justice issues and seeing Amanda being able to manage both council and being a doctor was really inspiring.
"It's made it seem like a reality, like I could do it as well."
In other news:
First-year medical students with the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School have been awarded the annual $5000 scholarship since 2007.
It will help Ms Kapoor, an Albury High graduate, to cover the cost of living in Sydney.
She moved there to begin studies earlier this year.
"The transition I've had has been really smooth, and I think that's partially due to the amazing community at UNSW," Ms Kapoor said.
"If given the opportunity, it would be an absolute honour to be able to come back to (work in) a regional area.
"I wanted to study medicine to make an impact on people's lives, and serve the community I grew up in.
"Albury has provided me with so many opportunities."
Ms Kapoor, 19, will be able to return to the region during her third year of study.
Cr Cohn said she was looking forward to seeing the Kapoor siblings in her role as conjoint associate lecturer at the Rural Clinical School, where she has been teaching third- and sixth-year students since 2017.
"Neave is mature beyond her years and is a bright young woman," she said.
UNSW Rural Clinical School Albury director of medical education Mark Norden said many students who were from the region and returned to study and work had also enticed their city peers to join them.
"When partners often have other work commitments, it can be more difficult to up and move to regional areas," he said.
"But if they can grow and develop in those areas, they're more likely to live there.
"If you have a local student from a local high school who has a chance to get into UNSW, study in Albury and come back to Albury ... that's invaluable."
