Facts Booklet 2025 by Australian Rotary Health

ROTARY HEALTH

Australian Rotary Health

25/1 Maitland Place, Norwest, NSW, 2153 PO Box 6161, Norwest, NSW, 2153 (02) 8837 1900

admin@arh.org.au

www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au

About Us

Australian Rotary Health (ARH) is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research within Australia. Alongside mental health research, we also provide funding into a broad range of general health areas, provide scholarships for Indigenous health students, as well as rural medical and nursing students. We are a project of the Rotary Districts of Australia supported by Rotary Clubs.

Purpose Statement

WE FUND HEALTH RESEARCH

Research – Mental Health Research – General Health Scholarships – Indigenous Health Scholarships – Rural Medical and Nursing

Our History

Australian Rotary Health was established as a charitable fund in 1981 through the instigation of Rotarian PP Ian Scott and the Rotary Club of Mornington (VIC), to research the mystery of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Gaining acceptance from the Rotary District 982 (now 9815) for the project, the Rotary Club of Mornington discussed their vision at the Regional Rotary Institute in front of the current and past Rotary International officers. A Steering Committee was appointed and each Australian District accepted the concept.

Since fruition, with the generous support of Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts, Australian Rotary Health has now funded over $50 million in research. Australian Rotary Health has since welcomed individual, commercial and government supporters.

ABOUT USABOUT US

What We Do

Australian Rotary Health allocates its funding between four program categories; mental health research grants, general health research grants, Indigenous health scholarships and rural medical and nursing scholarships.

Though we primarily provide funding into areas of health that may not readily attract funding, we also play a significant role in spreading awareness of mental health issues through our Lift the Lid campaign.

Mental Health Research

Since the year 2000, Australian Rotary Health has focused its funding on mental health research. In 2012 this focus narrowed to the ‘Mental Health of Young Australians’, and in 2013 research projects focusing on the ‘Prevention of Mental Health’ were included. In 2023, we began funding research grants aimed at the mental health of children aged 0-12.

General Health Research

Australian Rotary Health engages with a variety of funding partners to provide research PhD scholarships. These projects encompass a broad range of general health areas including cancer, heart disease, children’s health, motor neuron disease, diabetes and more.

Indigenous Health Scholarships

We also provide scholarships to support Indigenous scholars to undertake tertiary training in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, dentistry and other health-related degrees at university. These scholarships aim to overcome the barriers to tertiary study and qualification in Australian Indigenous populations.

Rural Medical and Nursing Scholarships

Australian Rotary Health provides scholarships for medical and nursing students to undertake placements at a rural and remote health care service. Scholars experience what these facilities have to offer and provide an incentive to pursue a career in rural Australia upon graduation.

2025 Funding Allocation

Total

Research Project Grants

ARH provides these highly competitive grants every year in areas focusing on mental health. Our mental health research project grants focus on the 0-12 year old age group. Each project is funded for up to 3 years (Up to $70,000 p.a.).

Postdoctoral Fellowships

These mental health postdoctoral fellowships were created in honour of the first four Chairmen of ARH; Royce Abbey, Geoffrey Betts, Colin Dodds and Bruce Edwards to support researchers in their early career. Each current fellowship is funded for up to 3 years (Up to $125,000 p.a.).

Ian Scott PhD Scholarships

These mental health PhD scholarships were created in honour of the founder of ARH, Ian Scott. Each PhD scholarship is funded in the area of mental health for youth 0-12 years for up to 3.5 years (Up to $35,000 p.a.) in the area of mental health for youth 0-12 years.

Funding Partner PhD Scholarships

These PhD scholarships are jointly funded by three parties; a Rotary Partner, University and Australian Rotary Health, to conduct research into any health area. Each scholarship is funded for up to 3.5 years ($35,000 p.a.).

Indigenous Health Scholarships

These yearly scholarships are awarded to Indigenous tertiary students as a way to support their studies and qualifications. They are jointly funded by a Rotary Club or District and the State or Federal Government. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 per year.

Rural Medical Scholarships

ARH uses its rural medical scholarship program to create an incentive for students to undertake at least one year of work placement in rural Australian communities. Each annual scholarship is worth $5,000.

Rural Nursing Scholarships

ARH uses its rural nursing scholarship programs to create an incentive for students to undertake their final year of clinical placement in rural Australian communities. Each annual scholarship is worth up to $12,500.

Donation Statistics

Donations Across the Years

Donations to Australian Rotary Health are collected in accordance to each financial year. See below for their accumulative donation sums from the last five years.

Rotary Districts Accumulative Donations

See below for their accumulative donation sums from all the Australian Rotary Districts.

Who We Are

Australian Rotary Health

Rotarians

Life Members

Patrons

Members

Ambassadors

Directors

District Chairs

Research Committee

Administration

Staff

Our Structure

FACTS BOOKLET

The ARH District Chair is a key link to Rotary Clubs in each Rotary District. A vibrant, interesting speaker is essential with a thorough knowledge of Australian Rotary Health.

The success of Australian Rotary Health in each Australian Rotary District is often directly related to the quality and enthusiasm of our District Chairs and their associated Committee.

As an appointment by the District Governor, Directors should discuss and assist with the appointment of an ARH District Chair with the DGE prior to their appointment to ensure the most suitable Rotarians are selected.

Appointment of all District Chairs should be reported to the Board for endorsement.

The role of the District Chair and/or their Committee Members would include:

 To promote ARH to all Rotary Clubs in their District using a variety of promotional material which could include brochures, flyers, booklets, Annual Reports, Facts Books, videos, YouTube segments.

 To visit clubs, where possible, as guest speaker at least once a year, disseminating contribution level data and other information.

 To maintain verbal/written contact with clubs.

 To target non-participating clubs for special attention.

 To suggest to each club or group of clubs that it conducts fundraising project for ARH and assist them in doing so.

 To promote and generally support all fundraising projects.

 To allocate clubs to each committee member, preferably clubs with which they have a close relationship. If there is not a committee in place, assist the DG and ARH Director to establish one.

WHO WE ARE

 To hold committee meetings regularly; to collect information as to the club’s activities, to discuss the distribution of information to clubs.

 To provide minutes of committee meetings to the DG and the ARH Director to keep them informed of District activities.

 To arrange (with the consent of the DG) a segment at the District Assembly and PETS wherever possible.

 To liaise directly with the region's Director on all ARH District and Club matters.

 To prepare reports on the District of which they are responsible to be presented at each Board meeting. This report will include details of all interaction with clubs and recommendations on proposed actions to improve relationships If requested by a Director.

 To participate in meetings (mostly electronic – zoom) with other District Chairs, Directors and staff to share ideas about ARH.

 To liaise with their regions District Governors, District Governors Elect and District Governors Nominee and to assist when requested.

 To develop a working relationship with the District Governor to ensure maximum promotion and support of the Australian Rotary Health.

 To ensure there is opportunity at District Conferences for Australian Rotary Health to be presented by a guest speaker and by an ARH stall or display.

The Board 2025

Research Committee

Administrative Staff

District Chairs (2024-25)

Our Honourable Representatives

FACTS BOOKLET

2024 Recipient - Betty Kitchener AM

Betty Kitchener AM was awarded the ARH Medal for her contributions across two districts - 9800 and 9660, honouring her pivotal role in developing and promoting the Mental Health First Aid program. It also acknowledges her leadership and dedication to Rotary as Chair of District 9660 ARH Committee.

2010 - District 9810 (VIC) for their major annual bike ride event

2011 - District 9680 (NSW) for their 2011 financial contribution to ARH

2012 - District 9550 (QLD) for their major annual fundraising event, Banish the Black Dog Ride

2013 - District 9830 (TAS) for many initiatives including Sally’s Ride, the Ulverstone Health Exposition and many Funding Partner PhD Scholarships

2014 - District 9675 (NSW) for introducing the ARH Golden Microscope Award and support for Indigenous Health and Funding Partner PhD Scholarships

2015 - District 9650 (9660) (NSW) to acknowledge the support of DGs and, in particular, their partners for naming ARH as the ‘Partner Project’ in each consecutive year from 2011/12 to 2015/16 and before that in 2008/09 and 2006/07

2016 - District 9810 (VIC) for raising $1 million over the past 30 years through their major annual bike ride event

2017 - District 9830 (TAS) for their role in increasing awareness of ARH by introducing several Funding Partner PhD Scholarships and by hosting annual health expositions

2018 - District 9570 (QLD) for their role in promoting mental health in their communities through forums and events

2019 - Districts 9450 & 9460 (WA) for supporting ARH in a variety of ways, including their joint ARH Lift the Lid on Mental Illness annual forum

2024 - District 9620 (QLD) for efforts in organising the Lift the Lid Walks.

ARH Mental Health Impact Award

Australian Rotary Health sponsors an annual award for knowledge dissemination through the Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR). The award is given to a person who has shown outstanding service in the promotion of evidence-based interventions, implementing them into practice or making the public more aware of their existence.

Research has produced a large body of evidence-based knowledge about effective treatments. However, many who would benefit from these treatments are often unable to access them as they are not made routinely available.

Open to all clinicians, researchers, consumers and organisations, the awardee is given a plaque and expenses of attending and presenting their research at the annual SMHR meeting. The winner is available to addressRotarymeetingsinthe12monthsafteraccepting the award.

Due to the postponement of the SMHR Conference, the Australian Rotary Health Impact Award was not awarded in 2020 or 2021.

Past Recipients

2009 - Professor Perminder Sachdev

2010 - Betty Kitchener AM

2012 - Professor Jan Copeland

2013 - Dr MarieYap

2014 - Dr Lexine Stapinski

2015 - Professor Eoin Killackey

2016 - Dr Christina Marel

2017 - Dr Cath Chapman

2018 - Dr Sally Hunt

2019 - Dr Laura Hart

2022 - Dr Justin Chapman

2023 - Dr Jennifer Nicholas

2024 Recipient - Professor Nicole Newton, on behalf of the OurFutures Team from the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney, NSW

ARH Chair PDG Stephen Humphreys presenting the 2024 award

Friends & Companions

D9685 District Governor Christine Owen presented PDG Graeme Davies, a former ARH Director with a Gold Companion Award.

$100,000

LIFT THE LID CAMPAIGN

Rotary Club of Wahroonga, NSW

Hat Day Fundraising event

Our Funding

Getting Funded

These scholarships can be . Each scholarship is jointly funded by a Rotary Partner, the University of which the candidate conducts their research and ARH (see below).

Our Programs

Artwork: Alumni Floating Feathers by past ARH Scholarship recipient, Florance Ash

Carly Brenmer 2024 Rural Nursing Scholarship

“The challenges faced in the ED and ICU have solidified my passion for critical care, and I am excited to channel this passion into my upcoming New Grad position...As I look forward to the next chapter of my career, I am grateful for the foundation laid by my education and clinical experiences, and I am eager to contribute meaningfully to the Nursing profession.”

Our Research

In May 1981, Professor Alan Williams, Chief Pathologist at Melbourne s Royal Children’s Hospital, discussed Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) on a radio show. Ian Scott, a listener and member of the Rotary Club of Mornington, VIC was moved by the interview and proposed creating a national Rotary research foundation. This led to the establishment of The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund in May 1981.

With support from other Rotary clubs and approval from the Rotary Institute, the first Cot Death research project was funded in 1986. Professor Terry Dwyer of the University of Tasmania and his team discovered that sleeping positions significantly impacted SIDS rates. Following widespread awareness of these findings, parents adjusted sleeping positions, reducing SIDS incidents in Australia from 500 per year to just over 100 by the late 1990s.

While walking their dog in 1997, Professor Tony Jorm and his wife Betty Kitchener AM discussed the lack of mental health support in first aid programs. This led to the creation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which launched in 2000 in Canberra. Initially a small initiative, MHFA aimed to fill the gap in mental health training alongside physical first aid courses. Australian Rotary Health provided vital funding for research, guidelines, and training, which are still used today.

By 2015, over one million people worldwide had completed MHFA training, with 4,000 accredited instructors. Supporters included Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga, who endorsed the program through her “Born This Way” Foundation. By 2021, MHFA had trained over 4 million people in more than 25 countries.

During 2005 Professor Felice Jacka OAM received an ARH Ian Scott PhD Scholarship to study the link between diet and mental health. Her research was the first to show that diet effects mental health. She studied 1,046 women and found that those who followed a “traditional” diet-rich in vegetables, fruits, meats, and whole grains-had a lower risk of mental health disorders, while those with a “western” diet high in processed foods had a higher risk.

Professor Jacka explains, “whole diets rich in plant-based foods, healthy proteins and non-trans fats are linked to better mental health outcomes.” These foods support both body and brain health, with high fibre content essential for gut health, which plays a key role in mental well-being.

Today, Professor Jacka serves as the Deakin Distinguished Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry, founder and director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University in Victoria.

Cool Little Kids: Helping Children Overcome Mental Illness

For over 25 years, ARH has supported the Cool Little Kids Program, created by Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health. This initiative aims to help children build confidence and reduce anxiety. This program has reached thousands of children through clinics and schools worldwide. The program, developed by Professor Ron Rapee AM, has been translated into 14 languages, runs in 24 countries and is the first of it’s kind to be delivered online.

In 2024, Professor Rapee shared that most children who completed the program overcame their anxiety disorders and showed improved friendships and school performance.

From 2015 -17, ARH further funded research by Associate Professor Maria Kangas to explore the program’s impact on children with both physical and emotional symptoms. Findings showed the program successfullyaddressedhiddenanxietyanddepression.

Getting to Know the Suicidal Brain

From 2017-19, Australian Rotary Health awarded Professor Gin Malhi and his team at the University of Sydney, NSW a Mental Health Grant to explore the distinct ways the brain functions in individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. Using MRI scans on patients at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, the team discovered that specific brain regions linked to self-reflection and social interaction are notably effected in individuals with suicidal thinking.

“We have found that abnormal emotional responses, such as irritability or social withdrawal, are key contributing factors that may sustain suicidal thoughts,” said Professor Malhi. An additional key finding revealed significant differences in brain activity between those with and without suicidal thoughts.

Dr. Pritha Das, a Neuroimaging Scientist on the research team, emphasised the importance of these results: “...individuals who have attempted suicide, even once, exhibit changes in brain function compared to those who haven’t.” Based on these findings, Professor Malhi and his team are now investigating how medications may aid recovery from suicidal thoughts.

A Medical Breakthrough for Schizophrenia Patients

ARH is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research in Australia, with a major impact on transformative discoveries. One such breakthrough comes from Associate Professor Elizabeth Scarr, whose research on schizophrenia, supported by ARH's Royce Abbey Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-11) has revolutionised treatment.

Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness, involves hallucinations and cognitive challenges. Professor Scarr’s research uncovered a significant reduction in muscarinic receptors, which regulate acetylcholine, in people with schizophrenia. This discovery led to new treatments aimed at restoring these receptors. In October 2024, this research resulted in an FDA-approved drug targeting these receptors. As Professor Scarr reflects, her work helped develop the drug, and ARH’s support was crucial in making this breakthrough possible.

Nearly 20 years of research has now led to a promising treatment, offering hope for better management of schizophrenia.

FACTS BOOKLET

Understanding and Supporting Firefighter’s Confronted with Suicide

Dr Tara Lal, a firefighter and peer support worker with Fire and Rescue NSW, highlights the hidden toll of suicide exposure on firefighters' mental health. Having lost her brother to suicide and experienced her mother's illness and father's mental health struggles by age 17, she insightfully researched the unique trauma firefighters face when responding to suicide calls. This trauma, effecting one firefighter every six weeks, often leads to feelings of failure, loss of identity and existential conflict, as it conflicts with their mission to save lives.

Dr Lal’s leading research, fuelled by receiving Australian Rotary Health’s first ever Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PhD Scholarship in 2018, revealed that traditional support systems are inadequate. Firefighters need tailored, peer-based programs that address their professional and cultural needs to foster resilience and healing. Dr Lal advocates for customised mental health support to protect firefighters' well-being and strengthen the communities they serve.

“Since Australian Rotary Health first provided $180,000 for our work, we have secured nearly $3.5M in other competitive funding to continue to develop and test our interventions”.

Professor Eoin Killackey, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth – Mental Health Grant

“The guidelines were launched at the inaugural National Summit on Mental Health of Tertiary Students in 2011 and have been disseminated to all tertiary education institutions in Australia, helping to promote best practice and improve support for students with mental health problems.”

Dr Nicola Reavely, University of Melbourne - Mental Health Research Grant

We were fortunate to get funding from ARH to study NAcetylcysetine (NAC) in depression. The findings from that study gave us the capacity to apply for a definitive NHMRC grant. Since that finding, a number of independent studies have replicated this finding, and we now have evidence at a meta-analytic level that NAC might be efficacious for the treatment of depression.

Professor Michael Berk, Deakin University - Mental Health Research Grant

Mental Health Research Projects

GENERAL HEALTH RESEARCH

General Health Research Projects

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Bipolar

Ian Parker Bipolar Research PhD Scholarship

Understanding Lifestyle Correlates of Cognitive Function in Bipolar Disorder

Hanna Corre

University of Melbourne, VIC

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Youth Suicide

Rotary Club of Deloraine, TAS PhD Scholarship

Understanding the Intersection of Literacy and Suicide among Young Tasmanians

Ivan Nugraha

University of Tasmania, TAS

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Indigenous Chronic Disease

Rotary Club of Adelaide (SA) PhD Scholarship

The relationship between chronic disease and intergenerational trauma in Aboriginal population groups

Nicolas Leidig

University of Adelaide, SA

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Mental Health Emergency Services

Rotary NSW & ACT Emergency Services Community Awards PhD Scholarship

Exploring Psychosocial Hazards in Australian Emergency Services Workers

Alysa Bachmann

Central Queensland University, QLD

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Mental Health

The Kaiyu PhD Scholarship

Understanding Neurocircuitry in Anxiety Disorders Using 7-Tesla Fmri

Ariel Kim

University of Melbourne, VIC

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Mental Health

Josephine Margaret Redfern & Ross Edward Redfern PhD Scholarship

Childhood schizotypy as a mediator of risk for psychosis in adulthood

Jeanti Profaca

University of New South Wales, NSW

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Concussion Disease

Dan Vickerman Research PhD Scholarship

Exploiting tau amyloid polymorphism for diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Joanna New

University of Sydney, NSW

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Bowel Cancer

Rotary District 9750 Bowel Cancer PhD Scholarship

Optimising the National Bowel Cancer Screening Follow-Up:

Integrating Innovative Technology to Improve Cancer Outcomes

Sandra Sursock

University of Melbourne, VIC

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Neurological condition

Rotary Club of West Wollongong’s 60th Anniversary PhD Scholarship

Building benchtop tissue models of human mechanosensory neurons

Thanapon Deekaikam

University of Wollongong, NSW

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Multiple Sclerosis

Rotary Club of Gisborne Funding Partner 'Jacob Taurins Memorial' PhD Scholarship

Biomarkers of Personalised therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Zhe (Darren) Qiang

University of Melbourne, VIC

Funding Partner PhD Scholarship – Parkinson’s Disease

Rotary Clubs of Wahroonga/Turramurra, NSW Funding Partner PhD Scholarship

Characterisation of calcium regulation and mitochondrial function in Parkinson Disease lymphoblast cell lines

Zoe Whitehouse

La Trobe University, VIC

Rotary Club of Belconnen, ACT ‘50th Anniversary PhD Scholarship’

Using neuroimaging to identify biomarkers of progression to dementia and novel therapeutic mechanisms in patients with prodromal Lewy body disease

Ajay Konuri

University of Sydney, NSW

Childhood Cancer

Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra, ACT

Towards using CRISPR-Type III for fusion oncogene detection and ablation of cancer cells in paediatric patients with acute myeloid leukaemia

Chow Lai

Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, VIC

Parkinson’s Disease

Rotary Clubs of District 9800 and Members Parkinsons's Disease

Research PhD

Retinal Biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease

Jingjing Lin

University of Melbourne, VIC

Rotary Club of Devonport, TAS

Gastroparesis

Pathophysiology and treatment of idiopathic gastroparesis: duodenal and gastric pathology, intestinal immune activation and microbiome

Stella Egboh

University of Newcastle, NSW

GENERAL HEALTH RESEARCH

Multiple Sclerosis

Rotary Passport Club of Sylvania Waters, NSW

Evaluating causal effects of therapies in multiple sclerosis

Dagmawi Haile

University of Melbourne, VIC

RC of Strathmore, VIC ‘Bartolina Peluso’ PhD and co-supported by RC of Camden, NSW

Don’t lose sleep over your medications: Investigating the safe and effective reduction of harmful sedative medications in people living with dementia

Aisling McEvoy

Monash University, VIC

‘Phillip & Glenis Hayes’ PhD Scholarship.

Advancing a novel biomarker for pancreatic cancer

Charlie Ffrench

University of South Australia, SA

F PKD Research

‘Pamela Maud Ratcliff’ PKD Scholarship

Discovering the influence of the NLRP3 inflammasome on Polycystic Kidney Disease progression

Emily Major

La Trobe University, VIC

Dementia

RC of Strathmore, VIC ‘Bartolina Peluso’ PhD Scholarship

Slow wave sleep and biomarkers of neurodegeneration in obstructive sleep apnoea

Georgina Rawson

Monash University, VIC

FACTS BOOKLET

GENERAL HEALTH RESEARCH

Mental Health

‘Rob Henry’ Memorial PhD Scholarship

Creating a turnkey solution to detect behaviour

Harry Dempsey

University of Melbourne, VIC

Schizophrenia

‘Jonathan Ceddia’ Memorial PhD Scholarship

Modelling Anatomical Phenotypes of Schizophrenia in PatientSpecific Cerebral Organoids

Jordan Clarke

University of Melbourne, VIC

Athlete Mental Health

Rotary Club of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills, VIC 'Danny Frawley Centre

PhD Scholarship’

Exploring the Risk-Protective Factors for the Mental Health of Retired Elite Athletes

Jordan Vella

Monash University, VIC

Mental Health

‘Lorraine & Bruce McKenzie’ PhD Scholarship

Mapping the care pathways initiated by primary schools to support the mental health of their students

Megan Smith

Melbourne University, VIC

Autism

‘David Henning’ Memorial PhD Scholarship

Transforming the assessment of adaptive functioning in children with neurodevelopmental conditions

Nina Perry

University of Sydney, NSW

GENERAL HEALTH RESEARCH

Rotary Club of Victor Harbor, SA

Rural Mens Mental Health

Risk and Protective Factors for Complex Trauma in Australian Rural and Urban Men

Phillipa Huynh

Swinburne University of Technology, VIC

Rotary Club of Youngtown, TAS

Gastroparesis

Prebiotic effects of partially hydrolysed guar gum in individuals and gastroparesis

Winston Hua

Western Sydney University, NSW

PROGRAM

Indigenous Health Scholarships 2025

Alfred Sing

University of New South Wales, NSW - Medicine

FACTS BOOKLET

Melissa Kelly

Charles Sturt University, NSW – Health Science (Mental Health)

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga, NSW

Melissa Scott

Western Sydney University, NSW - Midwifery

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Camden, NSW

Miranda Wallace

University of New South Wales, NSW – Medicine

Sponsored by: learnmed and Dr Ian Fitzpatrick Bequest

Nathan Robinson

University of Newcastle, NSW - Speech Pathology

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Parramatta, NSW

Riley Zerafa

University of Technology Sydney, NSW - Physiotherapy

FACTS BOOKLET

Miah Hickman

University of Queensland, QLD - Medicine/Nursing

Sponsored by: Lyndal Brown (The Harris Estate)

Mollie Scofield

Queensland University of Technology, QLD - Nursing and Public Health

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Toowong, QLD

Shakira Pedro

Australian Catholic University, QLD - Midwifery

Sponsored by: Lyndal Brown (The Harris Estate)

Shi-Anne Wallace

James Cook University, QLD - Pharmacy

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Cairns, QLD

Emily Post

Flinders University, NT - Medicine

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Darwin South, NT

Emma McKenzie

Flinders University, NT - Medicine

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Darwin North, NT

Jai Defranciscis

Flinders University, NT - Medicine

FACTS BOOKLET

Claudia Walton-McDermott

University of Western Australia, WA - Medicine

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Kalamunda, WA

Ellen Engelke

Curtin University, WA - Medicine

Rural Medical Scholarships 2025

Anishka Fernandopulle

Australian National University Rural Clinical School, Bega, NSW

Sponsored by: Rotary Clubs of Murrunbidgee Canberra, ACT & Deniliquin, NSW

Constance McIntosh

University of Adelaide Rural Clinical School, Port Pirie/Crystal Brook, SA

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of St Peters, SA

Eman Tahir

Western Sydney University Rural Clinical School, Bathurst, NSW

Sponsored by: The Lechner Scholarship, NSW

Loren Hughes

Australian National University Rural Clinical School, Cowra, NSW

Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Sunrise, NSW

Rashmi Perera

Western Sydney University Rural Clinical School, Bathurst, NSW

Sponsored by: Rotary District 9675 Inspirational Women Awards, NSW

Sabrina Peng

Western Sydney University Rural Clinical School, Lismore, NSW

GENERAL HEALTH

Rural Nursing Scholarships 2025

Maree McDonald - Federation University, VIC

Final Rural Placement: Bairnsdale Regional Hospital

Post Grad Placement: Bairnsdale Regional Hospital

Promotion & Communications

Australian Rotary Health

ABN 52 006 119 964

PO Box 6161, Norwest, NSW, 2153 (02) 8837 1900

admin@arh.org.au www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au