List of Nursing Scholarships, Prizes and Research Funds

The following awards and funds have been made possible by our valued supporters and donor community, who share our commitment to encourage nurses to continue with specialist training and engage with research for the benefit of the communities and the patients we serve.

Scholarships

Catherine Wotton Ovarian Cancer Scholarship

Eligibility: Gynaecological nursing, Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Cancer and Palliative Care) or the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice

The Catherine Wotton Scholarship Fund was established in recognition of Catherine Wotton’s significant 37-year contribution to nursing and her courageous battle with ovarian cancer. This scholarship provides registered nurses with the opportunity to be specifically trained in gynaecological and ovarian cancers.

"This scholarship represents an opportunity to fully focus my attention on the main objective of achieving the best I can in Cancer Nursing."

— Jemeni Thomas, Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing

Learn more about the Scholarship's background

Dorothy Jean Ineke Scholarship in Nursing

Eligibility: Applied Path - best overall results

This scholarship was established by Julie Sheldrake, a nurse, in memory of her mother Dorothy Jean Ineke. Two scholarships are awarded annually, and selection is merit-based on the best overall results in NURS90076 Applied Pathophysiology.

"As the recipient of this incredible award, I hope that I can give back to the community in the future by providing exceptional care to families who need extra help and support."

— Sarah Chok, Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice

Learn more about the Scholarship's background

Patricia Eileen Hyams Scholarship in Cancer and Palliative Care Nursing

Eligibility: GC-NPCPC Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Cancer and Palliative Care) and completed NURS90076 Applied Pathophysiology

This scholarship was established by The Bruce Hyams Foundation. It was a gift to honour Mrs Patricia Hyams, who completed her training at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne as a registered nurse and graduated in 1939. Two scholarships are awarded annually to students that reside in rural or remote locations and are undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing.

"The scholarship was an incredible blessing. Rather than take extra shifts to supplement our family income, I could concentrate on my studies and still care for our children."

— Tunya Jarvis, Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Cancer & Palliative Care)

Learn more about the Scholarship's background

Nicole King Scholarship

Eligibility: Doctor of Philosophy (Cancer & Palliative Care)
Closing date: 2023 Applications closed

The Nicole King scholarship was established by Nicole's family in her memory. Nicole was a Department of Nursing Lecturer at The University of Melbourne and clinical educator at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. In 2011, Nicole sadly passed away from a rare form of cancer. This scholarship honours Nicole’s passion for palliative care nursing. The Nicole King Scholarship is available to Graduate Research students (MPhil or PhD) with a focus on Cancer and Palliative care nursing

“Thank you again for your generosity and support. I will work very hard and hope that my research will make a difference to families during end-of-life care in the intensive care in the future.”

— Alysia Coventry (Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing)

Learn more about Nicole King and her impact

Prizes

Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN)

Eligibility: Critical Care, Paediatric Intensive Care and Rural Critical Care

This prize celebrates excellence in the graduates of critical care nursing education programs and is awarded to the students who achieved the highest NP marks in Critical Care, Paediatric Intensive Care and Rural Critical Care.

Denise Spencer Prize

Eligibility: Cancer Nursing

In commemoration of Denise Spencer’s commitment to excellence in cancer nursing through lifelong learning, this prize is awarded to the highest GPA Graduate Certificates in Cancer Nursing.

Dianne Campbell Prize

Eligibility: Emergency, Critical Care and Rural Critical Care

This prize is named after Dianne Campbell, the Director of Nursing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dianne Campbell was instrumental in the founding of the School of Postgraduate Nursing (as it was initially named) at the University of Melbourne and in the transfer of the hospital’s graduate specialty nursing programs to the University of Melbourne. This prize is awarded to the student who achieved the highest GPA in Emergency, Critical Care and Rural Critical Care,

Elizabeth Crowther Prize

Eligibility: Mental Health Nursing

This prize honours Elizabeth Crowther who played a key role in supporting improvements in psychiatric nursing education and is awarded to the highest GPA Graduate Certificates in Graduate Diploma Mental Health.

Head of Department Graduate Prize

Eligibility: Master of Nursing Science

This prize is awarded to the student with the highest grade point average in the Master of Nursing Science.

Judith Parker Prize

Eligibility: Doctor of Philosophy

Named after Emeritus Professor Judy Parker, founding Head School of Nursing from 1996 to 2003, the prize is to be awarded to the candidate who submits the most meritorious PhD thesis for assessment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Mary Pattern Prize

Eligibility: Paediatrics, Paediatric Intensive Care or Neonatal Intensive Care

This prize is named after Mary Pattern who was instrumental in supporting the transfer of the hospital’s paediatric specialty nursing programs to the University of Melbourne. The Mary Pattern Prize is awarded to the highest GPA Graduate Certificates in Paediatrics, Paediatric Intensive Care or Neonatal Intensive Care.

Michael Kierce Prize

Eligibility: GC NP Emergency

This prize is in honour of Michael Kierce, a lecturer in the Department of Nursing, an inspired teacher and academic who encouraged his students to take a leadership role through combining clinical excellence with research. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated research excellence, clinical excellence and the potential for leadership in clinical practice research during the fourth year of a nursing course.

Nicole King Prize

Eligibility: Cancer Nursing

This prize honours Nicole King, who was a Department of Nursing Lecturer at The University of Melbourne and clinical educator at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and is awarded to the highest GPA Graduate Certificates in Cancer Nursing.

Research Fund

Dame Quentin Bryce Palliative Care Nursing Research Fund

This is an annual allocation of funds, used to support research costs associated with research into Palliative Care Nursing. The funds will support research in palliative care that will improve quality of care for people diagnosed with advanced disease and their families/caregivers.