Wiradjuri/Bundjalung woman and occupational therapy graduate Ashleigh Ryan is passionate about helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

She was one of the successful recipients of an Aboriginal Health Scholarship which offered up to $15,000 per year – and now open for applications to Indigenous people who want to study entry level health courses at university.

“Health is something I have always been passionate about,” Ashleigh said.

“I’d say this would have been sparked from watching my late Great Grandfather treat my family using natural and traditional medicine practices when I was younger. 

“This interest turned into an awareness as a grew older. I started to become aware of the health inequities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face and how this was impacting my family and our communities. 

“I chose occupational therapy as I felt this degree incorporated the most holistic approach to health in that it was concerned with mental, social and physical aspects of health.

Ashleigh recently completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) at the University of Sydney and said she was lucky enough to be granted the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme during her third year of university. 

“Prior to this, I was working four times a week which helped with funding university related expenses such as textbooks and supplies, a computer and travel,” she said.

“Having university classes approximately 3-4 times a week plus the additional work commitments, the load became very stressful and I felt I did not have enough time to study or put effort into my university work. 

“Being granted the PHMSS allowed me to reduce my hours at work to 1-2 times per week, allowing me to focus on my studies and grades more, which significantly increased. This particularly made a difference in my final year of study when I was completing my honours thesis. 

“Without the PHMSS, I don’t believe I would have been able to put the time and effort in to achieving my goal of first class honours.

“My short-term goal once I had finished university was to find full time work as an occupational therapist, preferably with NSW Health. 

“I have been fortunate enough to be offered a position with NSW Health as a community paediatric occupational therapist.

“A long-term goal for me is to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, either as a clinician or as a researcher. For anyone thinking of starting a career in health, definitely do it. A career in health is not only rewarding, but you also have the opportunity to influence and change the health system to be more equitable and inclusive of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.”

Apply

Applications for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme are now open and will close on Sunday 8 November 2020. To apply, visit: https://www.acn.edu.au/scholarships/indigenous-health-scholarships

Eligible health areas are: 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health work & practice; Medicine; Allied health (all specialties except pharmacy); Midwifery; Dentistry/oral health (excluding dental assistants); and Nursing (EN & RN).

Funding is provided for the normal duration of the course. Full time scholarship awardees will receive up to $15,000 per year and part time recipients will receive up to $7,500 per year. The funding is paid in 24 fortnightly instalments throughout the study period of each year.