Friends and family of Coonamble-raised Eleanor Bryant (nee Brien) hope a new scholarship will allow future rural health professionals to follow in her footsteps.

The Eleanor Bryant Memorial Fund will award one scholarship to the value of $10,000 per year for three years to a rural Australian student studying early childhood and allied health, both fields Eleanor was passionate about.

Eleanor was killed in a freak accident in November 2024, struck by a truck that crashed through a fence and onto the school grounds where she was working in the Victorian town of Riddells Creek.

She was 43.

"Her final moments typified her extraordinarily selfless nature, as she bravely and courageously moved a young child from the path of the oncoming truck, saving the child’s life," scholarship spokesperson Mary Skuthorp said.

"Eleanor was the type of person who always gave of herself for others and lived her life everyday putting others first.

"She dedicated her career to education and working with children through her profession of speech pathology."

Eleanor was educated in the Coonamble area. IMAGE: River McCrossen

The mother of two worked for over 20 years in hospitals, clinics, homes, schools and early childhood centres in rural communities.

She specialised in complex speech disorders and helped children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Her family said she brought warmth, humour "and a touch of country charm" to her speech sessions and made meaningful communication possible for every child.

In the wake of her passing they have hatched a plan to fund perpetual scholarships with donations via the Australian Communities Foundation.

A local community fundraiser is also set for September in Coonamble.

"By investing in the future of paediatric therapy in country Australia, the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Scholarship continues Eleanor’s mission: ensuring that all children, regardless of location, have access to the support they need to communicate, connect, and thrive," Mrs Skuthorp said.

Eleanor was born to Cynthia and Andrew Brien and was educated in Coonamble and Sydney before eventually making her home in Victoria.

Eleanor and her family lived in Coonamble for a six-month stint during the peak COVID period in 2020, and she brought her skills to local schools and early childhood services.

She is survived by husband Tim and their young son Charlie and daughter Tully.