Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme 2025 round, the first under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control, now open.

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), together with partners the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) and Rural Doctors Network (RDN), are proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS).

The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of Dr Arnold ‘Puggy’ Hunter, a pioneering leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, whose many contributions shaped and influenced the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health sector we know today. Puggy fought uncompromisingly for the cause of Aboriginal health, yet was regarded respectfully, even affectionately, by his counterparts in politics and government.

Consortium members are working with the Hunter family and key partners to deliver a culturally safe and responsive scholarship program which empowers our future health, mental health and social sector workforce and one that reflects Puggy’s passion and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and self-determination across the health workforce and sector.

Scholarships opened on Monday 2 September 2024 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students studying or enrolling in an entry level health course. The program offers financial assistance, cultural mentoring and a range of other supports to break down the barriers to completing university and VET sector studies and empower students to succeed.

Kamilaroi woman and IAHA Chairperson, Nicole Turner, said “many of our members have benefited in their studies as Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship recipients and progressed into the health workforce in clinical and non-clinical roles achieving their aspirations in health leadership. We know the important role that financial assistance plays in student success, but we’re excited to wrap our culturally safe and responsive supports around recipients to ensure they receive the cultural, personal, and professional mentoring, across their journey”.

Bundjalung man and NAATSIHWP Chairperson, David Follent, added “NAATSIHWP have a long history with the Puggy Hunter Scholarship and is pleased to be working with IAHA and RDN to ensure that we grow our future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, across all disciplines, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

“RDN is delighted to continue to work alongside two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations in the delivery of such an important program. We are privileged to complement IAHA and NAATSIHWP’s cultural leadership and care with the program and operational delivery expertise in ensuring Puggy Hunter Scholarship applicants and recipients are provided the best quality support and service” said RDN Chief Operating Officer, Mike Edwards.

The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and provides Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students up to $15,000 per annum for full time students, for the normal duration of their studies. Applications for the 2025 round close midnight Sunday 20 October.

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