My Name is Chelsea Everett. I am a proud mother of 6 children and 1 adorable grand-daughter. I am studying Bachelor of Midwifery (Indigenous), Away From Base, at the Australian Catholic University. I also work at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre as a Pregnancy Support Worker. To become a midwife and work within my community is a passion of mine.

I am very grateful for the support of the Rhodanthe Lipsett Trust, by receiving the scholarship I am able to relieve some of the financial strain that has occurred.

I’m a young Indigenous Torres Strait Islander living on Thursday Island. I’m currently undertaking bachelor of Midwifery studies at Griffith University Logan campus.

The scholarship will assist towards study expenses such as text books, internet and childcare bills.

My name is Renae and I am a proud mother of three gorgeous boys. After deciding to follow my dream of becoming a midwife, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery program at Western Sydney University. I am currently a second year student and enjoy all aspects of university, clinical practice, and providing holistic support to the women and families I meet.

Being fortunate enough to receive this wonderful scholarship will enable me to enrich my knowledge and practice as a midwifery student and future registered midwife, by attending upcoming conferences and workshops. It will also help cover some textbooks and parking expenses.

My name is Gwen, I am in my second year of Bachelor of Midwifery at Griffith University. A passion led me to midwifery,  empowering women so they can build strong families.  I knew our mob’s mortality rates are high,  however I  was unaware the infant and maternal mortality rates may be reduced with continual antenatal visits. The Rhodanthe Fund scholarship will help me progress through my studies and focus on becoming a registered midwife.

Once a midwife, I hope to be in the presence of a sister – to encourage her or make her feel comfortable to attend continual antenatal assessments that can reduce adverse outcomes.

Furthermore, be a midwife for all cultures. I want to be there for our women to yarn, to help understand prevention or risks, have nil judgement of her words and provide a positive reinforcement to help her transition into one of the most rewarding roles in the world, “as a mother”.

I am very appreciative of the scholarship funds and thank the Board of Trustees of the Rhodanthe Lipsett Charitable Fund.

I am a third year Bachelor of Midwifery student with the University of Newcastle. If someone at the beginning of this degree had asked me why I wanted to do midwifery, I would not have been able to answer confidently. However, now, as I progress into my last semester within the program I have noticed the disparity that exists between maternal/infant outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

This has since been my goal in aiding the success of closing this gap and improving the health outcomes for these women and children, and subsequently their families. With the assistance from the Rhodanthe Lipsett Fund, I shall be able to complete my final year with a hope of great success as a Midwifery student without the financial stresses that a student experiences, but also help close the gap and contribute to the better pregnancy, birth and postnatal outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families.

My name is Madeline and I’m born and bred in Mount Isa, currently studying my Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at Central Queensland University.  I studied my nursing at James Cook University and wish to contribute to my career as a nurse and midwife in Indigenous communities.

I will use the scholarship money to further my studies and possess further skills required when working in rural and remote Indigenous regions.  I wish to enrol in the prescribing for midwives course once I graduate and study this while I pursue my graduate year. The scholarship money will be able to fund this course.

My name is Tyla West-Chong and I am a Kalkadoon woman from Mount Isa, Queensland. I am currently studying in my 2nd year of Midwifery at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

The Rhodanthe Fund scholarship will assist me in my 2nd semester of 2016 with textbooks that I will require for this semesters courses, as well as anything I need for placement. This scholarship will also help me with living expenses.

My name is Melanie Briggs, I am currently employed on a Full-Time basis at the South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation in Nowra on the South Coast of NSW. I am a Registered Midwife and have applied to study a Masters of Primary Health Care by Coursework at the University of Technology Sydney.

The Rhodanthe Lipsett scholarship will assist my studies by allowing me to purchase the required text books as well as any travel requirements that I may need to attend block sessions.

I am grateful for the assistance you are providing for me to allow me to pursue further studies to advance my professional development.

My name is Marni Tuala.

I am a proud Bundjalung and Wonnarua woman who grew up on country in Far North NSW. I studied Bachelor of Midwifery at Southern Cross University Gold Coast and graduated in 2015. I attained one of two graduate midwifery positions at The Tweed Hospital for this year where I currently work as a Registered Midwife under the TTP program.

This scholarship will assist me in attending the 2016 CATSINaM Indigenous Health Workforce and Lowitja Institute Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference in Melbourne. Attendance at this combined conference will enable me to increase my depth of knowledge in regards to Indigenous health and wellbeing in a culturally appropriate space. I hope to consolidate all my learning into my practice as a Registered Midwife who provides culturally safe and holistic midwifery care to Indigenous women.

My name is Cherisse Buzzacott. I work at the Alice Springs Hospital as a Registered Midwife and also do Remote Outreach work to a large remote community outside of Alice Springs. This is my 3^rd year as a Midwife and I am really enjoying the challenges and changes that have been thrown my way. I tutor at Australian Catholic University, tutoring First Year Midwifery students. I have a passion for Aboriginal Health and looking after women and babies through all aspects of pregnancy and post-partum.

This scholarship is going to help me further my knowledge by allowing me to attend and present at the Lactation Consultants Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) trans-continental conference in Melbourne in October 7th to 8th 2016.  As a guest speaker I have been asked to share a cultural aspect of Breastfeeding, focusing on my experiences and knowledge of Aboriginal women from Alice Springs and surrounding remote communities. I have expressed my interest in furthering my education and I hope to connect with lactation specialists in this field to see if this is the direction my career may go. I intend to remain working as a Midwife as this is the job I have worked so hard to achieve and have enjoyed everything that has been put in to my path so far.