Lumen Winter 2013 - Flipbook - Page 11
story by Connie Dutton
Rural roots
beckon for Martin
Medical graduate and former Mount Gambier resident
Dr Martin Downs counts himself among ‘the lucky ones’
to have studied Medicine at the University of Adelaide.
C
urrently in his third year of
psychiatric specialist training,
Martin’s ultimate goal is to become
a consultant Psychiatrist in the Rural and
Remote division of mental health servicing
country South Australia.
Martin was the recipient of a Medical
Rural Bonded Scholarship throughout his
undergraduate degree, which includes a
commitment from him to service a rural
area for six years upon becoming an
independently practising specialist.
“Having grown up in country South
Australia, moving to Adelaide was
a challenging prospect practically,
emotionally and financially,” Martin said.
“I hold many memories of growing up in
Mount Gambier that I can best describe
as idealistic!
“Football on Saturdays was a true
family day, throughout my childhood. My
sister and I would finish our games of
footy and netball, and Nanna would have
her egg sandwiches packed in a bag
with more sweets than we could handle.
Grandpa and Dad, William ‘Billy’ Downs
(B Ed 1971), were always involved with
the Football Club so it was like a second
home for me really. I loved it,” Martin said.
Moving to Adelaide to study medicine
was not something that Martin had
considered at length throughout his
schooling in Mount Gambier. But a love of
learning, combined with encouragement
from his parents and grandparents to
question the world around him led Martin
down his chosen career path.
“It was difficult at times in high school
to maintain the relevance of learning and
university, when the culture is not so
aligned with this goal. I later discovered
this to be more of a common goal in
many city schools.
“I think this cultural difference in the
normalisation of a tertiary education is one
of the pervasive challenges facing rurallybased teenagers,” Martin said.
After nearly 10 years away from ‘home’,
Martin hopes to soon spend some time
working in the South East to give back to
the rural communities that gave him such
a treasured upbringing. A move back to
Mount Gambier would allow Martin to
work more closely with his mother, South
East Regional Director for Country Health
SA, Jayne Downs.
“With medicine, the training involves
not only six years of study, but another
six or so years towards postgraduate
qualifications. This is a long time to
be away from a community, especially
if your family has firm roots in a rural
area,” Martin said.
“The tyranny of distance remains a
challenge, especially for those looking to
further their education to a tertiary level.
“I guess rural areas are caught in a bit
of a bind, between developing links to
the metro areas they have always been
so far from, and maintaining the localism
that has always defined them as unique
and special places.”
The tyranny of distance
remains a challenge,
especially for those looking
to further their education
to a tertiary level.
Right: Dr Martin Downs
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 9
