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About the Scholarship

This year, Albury Wodonga Health introduced the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship, providing funding of up to $5,000 to support an Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) staff member in undertaking education, training, professional development, or research opportunities.

This scholarship helps staff strengthen their cultural, personal and professional capabilities through engagement with cultural leaders, education providers, and professional or research experts. It supports individual growth and brings new knowledge, skills, and innovative practices back to AWH to improve practices, care and outcomes for our community.

Open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff members who meet the eligibility criteria, this scholarship reflects AWH’s commitment to investing in people, culture, and community, helping staff grow, lead, and contribute to a stronger, more culturally safe health service for our region.

The 2026 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Recipients

Albury Wodonga Health are thrilled to say that we have offered the inaugural AWH Aboriginal Health Scholarships.  With strong applications, the panel has awarded 2 scholarships to these outstanding recipients: 

Katrina Palanite: Koori Mental Health Liaison Officer, Infant Child Youth Mental Health Service

Funding For: Wayapa wuurrk practitioner accredited certificate

Wayapa Wuurrk is an indigenous-inspired wellbeing practice rooted in Earth connection, mindfulness and the deep wisdom of country. It is a practice that is a transformative journey through philosophy, Movements and cultural teachings of Wayapa Wuurrk. Wayapa Wuurrk offers pathways to reconnect with the Earth, with each other, and in the deepest parts of us while moving at your own pace.

I believe to have Wayapa Wuurrk as something AWH can offer to our Staff, all consumers that entre our service for Mental Health support and extending the offer to their families/carers as working holistically with indigenous consumers and their family is vitally important.

Not only would it be offered as Wayapa Wuurrk alone though I would also like to integrate a cleansing smoking ceremony that I have been seeking clarification and guidance from community Elders for me to be able to partake in this practice. This allows not only connection to culture and country it also reflects cleansing and calmness, relationship/family building, and most importantly work that only deepens the connection to oneself.

Charmaine Bell: Sexual Assault Counsellor, community Health

Funding to attend the 4th Family Safety Summit

To continue to be an informed clinician within my role as a sexual assault counsellor and on-call Violence, Abuse and Neglect - VAN clinician and keep up-to date with trauma informed, safe work practices. This professional development activity will benefit my own personal, professional and cultural growth at AWH by having the opportunity to attend a Summit and work alongside similar clinicians and develop a culturally responsive and consumer focused resource box. Adding to this is being able to continue my current studies of social work.
Listening and sharing stories promotes culturally safe practices and healing for our mob which is importance for self-growth and supports the development of a reflective clinician.

Congratulations to Charmaine & Katrina!