Twenty years of supporting Gippsland students with Tim McArdle Awards
Recently, the annual Tim McArdle Bursary Award Night celebrated twenty years of honouring the legacy of Tim McArdle, a beloved GP obstetrician in Warragul with an event awarding two more scholarships and celebrating previous recipients.
The Tim McArdle Memorial Grant provides vital financial assistance to aspiring healthcare professionals with both a passion for rural health and a desire to return to their local region after completing their education.
This year's recipients are Monash Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science student Hollie Vlasveld and Monash Bachelor of Psychology student Tegan Griffiths, who each received a $4000 grant.
Hollie Vlasveld, who has lived in Moe her whole life, has a great sense of connection to her surrounding community, through activities like dance, theatre, netball and Scouts. Her passion for human biology and learning the ways in which our bodies sustain life lead her to studying Biomedical Science, with a double degree in Science to expand her career opportunities after graduating. Hollie commented on the support the grant will provide to support her studies.
“By receiving financial support from the Tim McArdle Memorial Grant, I will be able to access more resources, and really focus on my study by more easily affording to live closer to the university campus, saving the long commute.”
Tegan Griffiths is an Indigenous student who grew up in Drouin since her early childhood, and was inspired to study Psychology after witnessing the impacts of mental health on those around her.
“All through my teenage years, I witnessed my loved ones experience mental health and substance abuse issues, and I desperately wanted to help them. That’s when I knew at the young age of 15, that I wanted to change this excruciating battle people must face.”
Tegan commented on the support she will receive through the Tim McArdle Memorial Grant scholarship.
“It will assist me in my studies by covering the necessities, allowing me to be stress-free and solely focus on my studies. I will be able to afford to travel to and from university campus without worrying about money. Furthermore, it can assist in resources to further support my studies.“
The bursary was established by the West Gippsland community in memory of Dr. Tim McArdle, an alumnus of Monash University and much loved GP obstetrician who supported the healthcare needs of people in Warragul and surrounds.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the scholarship and we were fortunate to have past award recipients attend the event and reflect on how the grant assisted them in their healthcare professions.
We had several speakers including our own Associate Professor Cathy Haigh, Dr Cleo Sahhar, Dr Briohney Klason (previously mentored by Tim), Chris Fogarty (member of Tim's band and friend), Tim's brother Stephen and Tim's uncle Hugh who presented the award to the recipients.
It was a lovely evening of celebration with music from Tim's band 'The Beatroots', supper and the sharing of wonderful memories.