By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Three young women have been announced as the 2024 recipients of Inspiro’s tertiary health scholarships to help fund their studies and a chance to unlock a world of opportunities.
Community health service Inspiro has awarded scholarships to the value of $18,500 to Yarra Ranges students undertaking tertiary health science courses, to inspire the next generation of health professionals.
The inaugural scholarships were first awarded in March 2000 by the old Lilydale Hospital, Inspiro took over these scholarship awards from Lilydale Hospital in 2006, and since they’ve been awarding hardworking students annually – except during Covid.
Dr Hamish was Chair of the hospital at the time and after its closure, he played a key role in ensuring the scholarships would continue to be offered to local health students, and he has been a long serving member of Inspiro in a variety of roles – these include board director, community advisory group chair and he also serves on the interview panel of the Scholarship Committee – which he claims as one of his favourite day of the year.
He said it’s incredibly important to have an investment in health for the future.
“I feel very special about living in the Yarra Ranges, and I love being involved with my community because it keeps me young and involved with health and also, I feel a strong sense of community here,” Dr Hamish said.
“I’ve loved the thought of Inspiro being part of the community because there’s a real struggle for people to study at universities that are much further live out here, if we can help them, regardless of whether they come back to work in the Yarra Ranges or not – as long as they shape our health system in the future.”
“We want to look forward, and if we can help and inspire people along the way. Well, that’s fantastic,
Important community figures attended the ceremony including the Yarra Ranges Mayor Sophie Todorov, Sue Sestan, Jane Sinnamon, Hamish Russell, Stephen Potter, the recipients’ families and many more.
The winners need to showcase determination and commitment in their studies as well as their contribution within their community.
Last year there were four recipients which included Derek Villacera, Sarah Oliver, Alannah Finger and Jamiee Cook.
This year’s recipients are Kelsey Horsnaill, Elisabeth (Meg) Woods and Pippa Martin.
Inspiro chief executive officer Sue Sestan announced this year’s winners on Thursday afternoon 25 July at the Belgrave Community Hub.
“We believe the awards are quite significant because whilst we are struggling to recruit due to workforce shortages, we see this as a direct contribution to future workforce, and especially being able to encourage those in the Yarra Ranges to continue their studies or to take up studies in health,” Ms Sestan said.
“In many situations, we know financial hardship can be the make or break of completing a course.”
“We recognise that health is struggling with finding people who are values driven, and we hope that Inspiro’s awards demonstrate, or try to indicate that values-driven decisions are really important – hence, it’s not just the academic experience, but also the attributes in the community service we use as criteria.”
Ms Sestan said people should be encouraging young people to take up health disciplines as there’s an aging population to it.
“The cost of services increases, and it’s organisations like Inspiro and other public type organisations that will make the difference in a lot of these people’s lives who can’t afford care,” she said.
Kelsey Horsnaill, who’s the recipient of the 2024 Hamish Russell Scholarship Award valuing at $8000, she’s currently in her second year studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Monash University.
“I’m speechless, I was in utter shock when I found out about being the winner of the Hamish Russell award,” she said.
“It’s life changing for me, and it’s going to open up so many different avenues for young people.”
“There’s a lot of challenges, everything’s getting more expensive, but being able to provide young people with things like, it allows them to focus more on their studies and have more opportunities in the community than what they probably would have had.”
After Ms Horsnaill graduates, she hopes to work in paediatrics in local schools or hospitals.
Elisabeth (Meg) Woods was the recipient for the 2024 Stephen Potter Scholarship Award, valuing at $6500.
The mother of four from Yarra Junction is studying her Masters of Nurse Practitioner remotely through the University of Newcastle, as well as working in three local general practices in Healesville, Warburton and Wandin North.
She said it’s a heavy workload, but with her dedication and hard work, not only has she found a clearer vision but also enjoys what she’s learning.
“I’m really grateful to be recognised as I’ve worked really hard to be where I am at now,” Ms Wood said.
“I have always been giving to the community and trying to strengthen the community and improve the health options for people, it’s nice to be recognised.”
She said with the current cost of living, and managing four kids, the pressure overwhelms things.
“Having that extra support means I don’t have to worry about life pressure, but rather focus on work and study,” she said.
“I’d like to buy some equipment that would be useful for my job so that I have my own tools no matter where I go.”
Ms Wood said she’s “eternally grateful” to everyone who helped and supported her to get to where she’s at now, especially her mentors, and families – in particular, her husband, who had to pick up a lot of things so she could succeed.
The super-mum intends to graduate in November.
Pippa Martin who’s currently in her third year studying occupational therapy at La Trobe University was the recipient for the 2024 Tertiary Health Scholarship Encouragement Award, valuing at $2500.
Ms Martin has been in uni for nearly seven years now.
“It’s been tricky to keep up motivation all these years, having a scholarship like this to recognise that effort means a lot,” she said.
“We’re doing four-months of unpaid placements next year – this will help relieve some of that stress and allow me to focus on my studying.”
She intends to graduate at the end of 2025.
If you are serious about making a difference in your community’s health, keep your eyes out for next year’s intake.
To be eligible, applicants must be a Yarra Ranges Shire resident and currently undertaking or enrolled to commence tertiary studies in an accredited health science course at an Australian university or TAFE institute, or through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
For further information, visit: inspiro.org.au/join-in/scholarships/
