We, who have lived in the Scrubby area for years sometimes wonder what happened to the young people who grew up here, and then leave to further their education elsewhere.
A couple of young ladies who fit into that category would definitely be Walkerston twins Zodie and Marita Bolic.
As soon as they could read, the Bolic twins read profusely - any books, indeed all books they could get their hands on; they just couldn’t get enough reading material!
The local librarian tried her best to keep the supply of new titles coming as the girls would read something like ten junior fiction books a week – That is each! And, also have their homework done and join in other extracurricular activities!
During her latter high school years Marita was selected to attend a Rotary National Youth Science Forum in Canberra where she learnt a lot about medical studies. She is now a fourth-year medical student at James Cook University in Cairns, having spent her first three years at the Townsville campus.
Marita has recently been involved in medical research in emergency medicine in Canberra. Prior to that she received a scholarship for a six-week rural placement in Mount Isa’s Northwest Hospital and Health Service, where she headed earlier this year. She is now looking forward to the last two-and-a-half years of studying, and whatever else may happen along the way - towards her degree.
Zodie was off to Melbourne University, firstly studying Arts - Politics & History, but switching to Batchelor of Fine Arts – Dance, at the end of 2020. Being one of 21 lucky ones out of about 1000 applicants that year.
She gained a first place for her subject ‘Knowing Dance’ in 2022 and was consequently invited to speak on ABC Radio National - A great thrill for her!
As Zodie approaches the end of her degree she has been awarded a scholarship to undertake a diploma of Governance through the Institute of Community Directors of Australia and is currently sitting on the Board of Melbourne University’s Student union, and also a member of the Victorian Youth Congress.
The Bolic girls have certainly packed a lot of opportunities and experiences - reading, dancing, learning and studies - into a relatively short period of time. All of this extending right back to their early years of never being able to borrow enough library books to satisfy their hunger for reading and learning.
Quite an impressive package of achievements for a couple of nearly twenty-two-year-old young women from the quiet little township of Walkerston!
Contributed by Bente McDonald
Zodie and Marita Bolic
Photo supplied
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