Growing up, Amber O'Neill always knew she would one day work with animals.
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Taking a step towards that goal has been made easier after the 25-year-old vet student was named as this year's recipient of the $3500 Daily Advertiser scholarship.
"I've always had animals," the student said.
"I've always wanted to make a positive difference to people and animals. I've always had dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs. We've had everything."
The Daily Advertiser scholarship is available to Wagga-based students in their final year of an undergraduate course at Charles Sturt University.
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This year, Ms O'Neill will complete her combined bachelor of veterinary biology and bachelor of veterinary science degree.
"[The scholarship] will help in so many ways. We go on three-week rotations for 12 months so this has helped with paying rent and accommodation costs," Ms O'Neill said.
"It's been such a help getting through the living expenses, but also just to have that support, to have someone behind me helping me finish has been great."
Thousands of students applied for financial scholarships at CSU this year, and a total of $1.8 million was given out. Ms O'Neill was one of nearly 100 students in Wagga that benefited from a scholarship.
"I was studying at home for my final exams when I got the email [about the scholarship]," Ms O'Neill said.
"I didn't believe it to start with. Especially not when I saw how many people had applied for a scholarship."
Ms O'Neill came to Wagga to study, moving away from her family in the Hawkesbury region.
But, she said, after several years in the city, she's happy to make the Riverina her long-term home. With a job lined up in Wagga for after she finishes her degree, she's already making permanent plans.
"I want to stay here for a while. I didn't expect I'd like it here as much as I do," she said.
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