LEIGH Macdonald started his working life as a mechanic. Today he is training to be a doctor. The 28-year-old from Ballarat is among the first group of Deakin University students who will be at Ballarat Base Hospital for the next two years, to complete their medical degrees.The group of 18 spent their first day at the hospital this week. Mr Macdonald said he was a mechanic for six years, but "needed a change" and decided to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a nurse and working at Ballarat's St John of God Hospital.Two years ago, he was accepted into the inaugural year of Deakin University's postgraduate medical degree. He said being able to undertake clinician's training in his home town had been a "big selling point" when choosing the course. He has been travelling to Geelong for the past two years. Fellow medical student Kerry Hewitt has also been commuting. A nurse for more than 20 years, the mother of three is embracing the opportunity to study close to home. "I have always wanted to do medicine, and because it's now available locally I can," she said. Executive Director of Medical Services at Ballarat Health Services John Gallichio said the hospital's clinical training facilities would be used by Deakin and Melbourne University students.The number of medical students training in Ballarat is likely to double to about 80. "We have been working towards this for about three or four years." Associate professor Mark Yates, who is the combined director of clinician studies, said the community could expect to see more medical students at the Base Hospital.
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