I am a proud Kamilaroi women from St George, Qld. I am in my first year of a Bachelor of Midwifery at the Australian Catholic University through the Indigenous Away from Base Midwifery Program.    This scholarship will support me to complete my studies by helping with the financial costs that are associated with University such as; textbooks, uniforms, travel and clinical placement.  

I am very appreciative of being successful in receiving this scholarship and look forward to the next two and half years of my degree with the support of the Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund.

Casey Smith - Category A ($5,000) Scholarship Recipient, 2020

I am currently studying the Indigenous Bachelor of Midwifery through the Australian Catholic University. I am a proud Gomeroi woman and I have 6 beautiful girls. My ultimate goals for achieving Midwifery is so that I can work with women and their families during moments of profound transition and change, I want to be able to empower women to make choices about their bodies that bring them health, confidence and strengths.

The scholarship will assist me financially with purchasing the required textbooks for my current and future units while studying Midwifery. The scholarship will also help me with travel and equipment to complete my Course. The scholarship will reduce the stress and burden on my family by allowing me to keep my financial income being spent where it needs to be while using my scholarship for my studies.

Katie-Jane Squires - Category A ($5,000) Scholarship Recipient, 2020

My name is Kiara Burns, I am a proud Gimuy Wullaburra Yidinji woman from Cairns, Far North Queensland. I grew up in both Yarrabah and Cairns as a child but spent the rest of my schooling years in Cairns with my Mum.  Currently I work as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker at a large Aboriginal Medical Service and this year I have finally set out to complete a degree in Midwifery.

Kiara Burns - Category A ($5,000) Scholarship Recipient, 2020

My name is Monique Mennie and I am a Bundjalung woman, but I was born and raised in Newcastle on Awabakal Country. I am a single mother of two children who are 11 and 4, both boys. I always thought I was not smart enough to attend University, but I have been given the opportunity to fulfil my dream and passion of becoming a midwife through the Australian Catholic University.

The Rhodanthe Lipsett Scholarship will assist me so I can focus completely on my midwifery studies and it will help in many other areas including rental relief, general living expenses, help with university fees, textbooks, internet and childcare bills. By receiving the scholarship, it will ease the financial stress that is involved in attending University.

Monique Mennie - Category A ($5,000) Scholarship Recipient, 2020

My name is Naomi Notting, I am an energetic, ambitious individual who keen a passion for women’s rights in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I am a mum of three and a proud Gubbi Gubbi women from the Duungidjawu country. I am currently in my first year of my Bachelor of Midwifery at the University of Canberra.

Receiving this scholarship will help reduce my financial stress around affording essentials to continue my degree, such as textbooks, equipment and uniforms.

Naomi Notting - Additional Scholarship, 2020

My name is Sheree Martin. I am a proud Anaiwan woman. I am currently in my 2nd year of the Away from Base Bachelor of Midwifery through the Australian Catholic University based in Brisbane.  This scholarship will assist me with childcare fees as well as purchasing some new office supplies to assist with my students.

Sheree Martin - Additional Scholarship, 2020

My name is Tyra, I am a proud Bundjalung woman currently living in Sydney to undertake a Bachelor of Midwifery at UTS. I am passionate about being able to make a different to the lives of many, in particular Aboriginal families and becoming a registered Midwife will allow me to do that.

This scholarship will provide financial assistance that will go towards purchasing textbooks, uniforms and other essential items to complete my degree. This will be greatly beneficial as a full time student living away from home and allow me to focus on my studies with less financial pressure.

Tyra McEwen - Additional Scholarship, 2020