MARY Porter has presented the 2014 and 2015 Peter Sharp Scholarships to Amanda Steele and Jordan Savage at an award ceremony held at the Australian National University.
“The ACT Government established the Peter Sharp Scholarship Program after the death of Dr Peter Sharp in 2011, to honour his achievements and commitment to serve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Mary said.
“The ACT Government funds $100,000 per annum for the scholarship, to support medical students enrolled in the Indigenous health stream throughout their studies.
“The program aims to address regional Indigenous health issues by increasing enrolment rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students, and by providing a targeted support program for students who are studying Indigenous Health at ANU Medical School.
“As a person who worked as a Registered Nurse in remote aboriginal country for 12 years, I am pleased to have presented the 2014 and 2015 Peter Sharp Scholarship awards to Amanda Steel and Jordan Savage respectively, who are both making a significant contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the local region.
“Amanda is a Wiradjuri woman with family originating from and residing in Cowra. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in Science at ANU and his heavily involved with the Indigenous community at ANU through Tjabal & the National Centre of Indigenous Studies and more recently in the 2015-16 ACT Young People in Custody Health Survey.
“Jordan is a Kaandju descendant on his mother’s side, Badu Island descendant on his father’s side. Jordan completed undergraduate studies in medical science at the University of Canberra, and is currently a first year ANU medical student. Jordan has worked with the local Aboriginal Medical Services at Winnunga Nimmityah, and as a child and adolescent mental health worker.
“Through this scholarship we can remember the legacy of Dr Peter Sharp, who made a genuine commitment to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health that was strengthened by his clinical experience and understanding of the complex health, social, emotional and cultural needs of his patients.
“The Peter Sharp Scholarship program contributes to achieving the vision of ACT Health’s Reconciliation Action Plan that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT and region to enjoy a quality of life, life expectancy and health status equal to all Canberrans,” Ms Porter said.
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