story by Connie DuttonRural rootsbeckon for MartinMedical graduate and former Mount Gambier residentDr Martin Downs counts himself among ‘the lucky ones’to have studied Medicine at the University of Adelaide.Currently in his third year ofpsychiatric specialist training,Martin’s ultimate goal is to becomea consultant Psychiatrist in the Rural andRemote division of mental health servicingcountry South Australia.Martin was the recipient of a MedicalRural Bonded Scholarship throughout hisundergraduate degree, which includes acommitment from him to service a ruralarea for six years upon becoming anindependently practising specialist.“Having grown up in country SouthAustralia, moving to Adelaide wasa challenging prospect practically,emotionally and financially,” Martin said.“I hold many memories of growing up inMount Gambier that I can best describeas idealistic!“Football on Saturdays was a truefamily day, throughout my childhood. Mysister and I would finish our games offooty and netball, and Nanna would haveher egg sandwiches packed in a bagwith more sweets than we could handle.Grandpa and Dad, William ‘Billy’ Downs(B Ed 1971), were always involved withthe Football Club so it was like a secondhome for me really. I loved it,” Martin said.Moving to Adelaide to study medicinewas not something that Martin hadconsidered at length throughout hisschooling in Mount Gambier. But a love oflearning, combined with encouragementfrom his parents and grandparents toquestion the world around him led Martindown his chosen career path.“It was difficult at times in high schoolto maintain the relevance of learning anduniversity, when the culture is not soaligned with this goal. I later discoveredthis to be more of a common goal inmany city schools.“I think this cultural difference in thenormalisation of a tertiary education is oneof the pervasive challenges facing rurallybased teenagers,” Martin said.After nearly 10 years away from ‘home’,Martin hopes to soon spend some timeworking in the South East to give back tothe rural communities that gave him sucha treasured upbringing. A move back toMount Gambier would allow Martin towork more closely with his mother, SouthEast Regional Director for Country HealthSA, Jayne Downs.“With medicine, the training involvesnot only six years of study, but anothersix or so years towards postgraduatequalifications. This is a long time tobe away from a community, especiallyif your family has firm roots in a ruralarea,” Martin said.“The tyranny of distance remains achallenge, especially for those looking tofurther their education to a tertiary level.“I guess rural areas are caught in a bitof a bind, between developing links tothe metro areas they have always beenso far from, and maintaining the localismthat has always defined them as uniqueand special places.”The tyranny of distanceremains a challenge,especially for those lookingto further their educationto a tertiary level.Right: Dr Martin DownsThe University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 9
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