OES Nursing Scholarship

31 August 22

The Order of the Eastern Star Wollongong Chapter 59 has founded a decade-long, $200,000 nursing scholarship at the University of Wollongong (UOW).

The $7,000 dollar a year scholarship supports a student studying the three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree, making it the largest nursing scholarship at UOW.

The partnership will fund single student scholarships for students from low socio-economic backgrounds with ties to the Illawarra.

Janelle Love, Worthy Matron for The Order of the Eastern Star Wollongong Chapter 59, said that through the scholarship the Chapter will be supporting the next generation of nurses who may otherwise not fulfill their dreams.

‘When the idea of a scholarship was first proposed, our members greeted it with enthusiasm,’ WM Love said.

‘It was a natural progression to pursue this with our own local University, which has always had an outstanding academic reputation.

‘During our discussions with the UOW team, it was very clear early on that the medical field, in particular nursing, was where our focus would be.

‘If we have learnt nothing else in the past two years, it is that our nurses are on the frontline 24/7, and it is hoped that this scholarship will encourage and support those who have a vocation for nursing to embrace it as a career.’

Professor Eileen McLaughlin, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, said the scholarship would change the lives of its recipients, which would, in turn, benefit the wider community.

‘Nurses are absolutely fundamental to the wellbeing of our society,’ Professor McLaughlin said.

‘We need nurses from all walks of life, passionate about caring for others, making a difference and advocating for their patients.

‘Helping students who are experiencing disadvantage to fulfil their potential and become the next generation of nurses is an incredibly worthy cause.’