Serco announces new scholarships to support nursing leaders working in mental health, the military and residing in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Serco, in conjunction with the Australian College of Nursing Foundation, is delighted to announce that two new scholarships will be available to registered nurses who are working in mental health, the military and residing in rural and remote areas of Australia.
The Bullwinkel Project is inspirational through the commissioning of a sculpture on the grounds of the Australian War Memorial – the first of an individual woman and of a nurse. The ACN Foundation aims to inspire generations and commemorate all nurses and midwives and remind us of their contributions of selfless service to Australia. The ACN Foundation is also calling on continued support for new nursing scholarships in the names of the 21 Australian nurses who died at Bangka island inspiring younger generations of nurses to lead their own contemporary journey in providing exceptional skilled healthcare for all Australians.
The scholarships funded by Serco are part of a broader program honouring the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA, an Australian Army nurse who served during the Second World War, and the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre in 1942.
These two newly-created professional development scholarships will be offered in recognition of Matron Irene (Melville) Drummond and Esther Sarah Jean (Stewie) Stewart who served alongside Sister Bullwinkel and who were among the 21 people killed in the tragedy.
The scholarships each provide $2,500 towards the costs of postgraduate study, such as course fees and textbooks.
Quote from ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
“The mission of The ACN Foundation is to provide access, through funding, to support initiatives that enhance, develop and recognise contributions made by Australian nurses that will improve the health of the Australian community and secure nursing history.
“We appreciate Serco’s support of the professional development of nurses across the country, an investment that will continue to ensure all Australians receive the benefits of expert nursing care for generations to come.
Quote from Peter Neale, Managing Director, Serco Citizen Services
“Serco is very proud to offer these new scholarships in partnership with the Australian College of Nursing Foundation. Through these scholarships, Serco will be supporting nurses to extend their skills and become leaders in their field. We hope these scholarships will provide the opportunity for nurses to pursue their professional goals.”
“As a key provider of healthcare services to the Australian Defence Force, it is also a great privilege to offer these scholarships as part of our support for the Vivien Bullwinkel Project, and to honour the service and legacies of Sister Bullwinkel and Matron Irene (Melville) Drummond and Esther Sarah Jean (Stewie) Stewart.
Nurses who would like to know more about the scholarships can complete the ACN’s EOI form and more information will be provided by the ACN as soon as it is available.
ENDS