The former Tooleybuc Central School student will head to Melbourne on Sunday to commence a veterinary science degree.

While the six year course is expected to place some financial pressures on the first year university student, a Mallee Family Care scholarship has ensured some of the financial burden will be lifted.

Sarah's transition from school to university will be easier thanks to a helping hand from the Chances for Children fund and the Swan Hill field days committee who funded the scholarship.

Chances for Children project officer Fiona Mertz said at the end of 2010 the Swan Hill field days committee donated more than $184,000 to the Chances for Children program ù a fund which aims to remove financial barriers for young people in the Mallee so that they can achieve their potential.

"It enables young people to further their careers or take up an opportunity they couldn't otherwise afford themselves," Ms Mertz said.

The Swan Hill field days committee became involved after the group disbanded several years ago.

Former chairman of the committee, Reg Packer, said after successfully running the field days for two decades, the committee decided to call it a day several years ago.

With some funds left over, Mr Packer and his fellow committee members decided to donate the money to the Chances for Children fund to help young local residents like Sarah kick-start a career in agriculture.

Having grown up in the Mallee, Sarah said she was a country girl at heart and had wanted to become a vet since she was young.

"I had lots of pets growing up," she said.

"I love working with animals."

Sarah said the scholarship would go towards accommodation costs, allowing her to live on campus.

"It means I can now afford to stay on campus where I will have access to a support network," she said.

As she prepares to pack her bags and bid farewell to the Swan Hill region, Sarah vowed to return.

"I prefer regional and rural areas," she said.

"I will be back."