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CELEBRATING OUR SCHOLARS

The 2022 scholars and awardees are an impressive group of young women. Each of the wonderful women students at this year’s ‘Celebrating Our Scholars’ event, both undergraduates and postgrads, demonstrated a commitment to learning for the benefit of other people in the community.

President Tricia Blombery

It was great to see 6 of our awardees at the morning tea celebrating their achievements.

Sarah Clark

Louisa and Helen Ward with Sarah

Sarah Clark, who is in the final year of her Joan Bielski Scholarship, spoke about how the belief GW NSW has placed in her made such a difference to her confidence in her studies. Sarah is studying Social Work at the University of Wollongong and making exceptional progress. She has great empathy and understands the challenges people face, and will no doubt be an asset to this field. Both of Joan Bielski’s nieces, Helen and Louisa Ward, were in attendance, to present Sarah with her overdue certificate. It was also great to meet Tyrone, Sarah’s son, who is engaged now in his own university studies.

Christine Yeats, Caroline Muldoon and Tricia Blombery

Caroline Muldoon

Caroline Muldoon is a fantastic representative of life-long learning, having completed her degree, moving onto Masters and looking towards a PhD. At the 2023 National Council of Women NSW ‘Celebrate Being Australian’ event, Caroline received the Award sponsored by Graduate Women. She has already done incredible work in the field of behavioural studies in education and we wish her all the best as she continues her study. She recognised the ‘change champions’ in the audience, women who have gone before and attained their degrees in a much less supportive time, and the work still to be done in gender equality.

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Demi McFarlane, this year’s UNE English Prize recipient, (seen above with Treasurer, Christine Yeats) is in her second year studying to become an English and Drama teacher and thanked Graduate Women for recognising her hard work. She hopes to deliver a love of the arts and learning that underscores and enriches education. Studying remotely has allowed Demi the freedom to work and study from Sydney but she is travelling to the campus to experience her first intensive study week with fellow students. We wish her all the best.

The Jamieson Award recognises high achieving students with a commitment to their community. the 2022 awardee, Leyla Meharg, demonstrated all the attributes of this award. With her excellent study record attaining a University Medal for her Bach Science and Advanced Studies and her engagement with community, she is now studying medicine at Notre Dame. Her commitment to the environment reflects Hilda Jamieson’s own love of nature, as she too was a Science graduate and keen horticulturalist. We’re confident Leyla will continue her excellent study and community service record.

Ashlea, Tric and Dr Jane Baker, Chair of the Education Trust 

Clinical psychologist, Ashlea Hambleton, was last year’s impressive Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship recipient and is about to embark on her funded study to England and Kings College’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences. There she will continue her research on Family Based Treatment via Telemedicine for Rural and Regional Young People with Anorexia Nervosa. This is important and far-reaching work and will hopefully lead to better outcomes for young women with this disorder and their families. We wish her the best of luck with her overseas study and look forward to hearing about her work upon her return.

Archana and Suki Jaiswal with Prof Shirley Randell

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One of this year’s national Barbara Hale Fellowship recipients was Sydney based Sukanya Jaiswal. Suki is a clinical optometrist and previously graduated with dual Bachelor degrees in Optometry and Vision Science as well as Master of Optometry in 2020 from UNSW. Making the significant decision to move her work aside to commence a PhD, she is researching the short and long term effects of bushfire smoke exposure on the eye’s surface. She was inspired by the rise in eye surface disease in many of her patients brought on by the Black Summer of 2019. Her work, some of which is being conducted at the University of Tasmania, will identify cellular changes as well as the best preventative and treatment options.

 

Thank you to Dr Hilary Yerbury (Education Convenor) – seen above with Ben Jones, Ashlea and Dr Christine Jennett (Scholarships Convenor), and Christine Yeats (Treasurer) above, as well as Tric Blombery (President) and Dr Jane Baker (Chair, Education Trust) for their coordination of the event and to all who came along to his heart-warming celebration.

 

 

PRIZE WINNERS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2022

Every year, Graduate Women NSW proudly sponsors a range of annual university-based prizes and application-based awards and scholarships for the women students of NSW and ACT. We are pleased to share the following list of recipients for 2022. You can support the Education Trust and State Awards offered by GW-NSW by donating at any time.

2022 GW-NSW PRIZE & SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
(based on 2021 Academic Year)

GW-NSW Inc Education Trust Scholarships and Awards

GW NSW Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship
Ashlea Hambleton – PhD student, Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney; Clinical Psychologist, Master of Clinical Psychology (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons 1).

2020-23 GW NSW Joan Bielski Scholarship (support provided for 3 years) – For a mature age student in first year of Undergraduate Study
Sarah Clark – Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong

GW NSW Central West Dr Barbara Wright Scholarship (Biennial Award)
Emma Stubbs – Emma holds a First Class Honours Science (Neuroscience) degree from the University of New South Wales and is in the postdoctoral Doctor of Medicine Program at the University of Sydney. The stream she will join within this degree requires 4 years of F/T study and has a specialism in rural medicine.

GW NSW Inc Tish Proctor Memorial Prize – USYD Most proficient woman student in First Year Government
Stella Haugh & Ondine Karpinellison

GW NSW Inc Tish Proctor P/G Prize Most proficient woman student doing postgraduate coursework study in public policy, administration and affairs in Government – USYD
Adeline Siva

GW NSW Joan Ritchie Award (For a woman student in her second year of her first undergraduate degree)
Katherine Fitzpatrick – Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene), Charles Sturt University

GW NSW Education Trust Award (For a woman student in the third year of her first degree)
Vivien Clarke – Bachelor International Security and Bachelor Science (Psychology), majoring in Arabic language, Australian National University, Canberra

GW NSW Jamieson Award (judged on completed degree in 2021)
Leyla Meharg – enrolled in a B. Science and B Advanced Studies, Physiology Honours at the University of Sydney

State Awards and Prizes

GW NSW Award as part of NCW Australia Day Awards January 2022
Siobhan Ryan – History graduate (1st class Hons), University of Sydney

GW NSW University of New England Award: Science (BSc)
Charlotte Gorman Deane

GW NSW University of New England Award: Arts (English) (BA)
Demi Mc Farlane

GW NSW Gina Savage Prize: Outstanding woman graduating in Science at University of Wollongong
Isabella Todd

GW NSW Prize in 200-level English Macquarie University
Tara Lyall

GW NSW Prize in English II Essays University of Sydney outstanding achievement for essays in English
Orla McKinney

GW NSW Gladys Marks Bursary for a mature-aged woman student completing a degree at USYD
Several recipients have received bursaries – names withheld

GW NSW Prize in Mathematics USYD for top woman Honours graduate
Recipient has requested their name be withheld

Branch Awards

CANBERRA

Mavis Prater Prize/s for Women in Mathematics at Australian National University (jointly funded with ANU)
TBC

Canberra Branch & ANU College of Asia & the Pacific Prize for woman student with the highest mark in first class honours
TBC

CENTRAL WEST

Cowra-Canowindra HSC Scholarship
Talitha Stanley &
Zara McKenzie – from Cowra, enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science course at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie, specialising in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

DR BARBARA WRIGHT Post Graduate Scholarship (Biennial Award)
Emma Stubbs – First Class Honours Science (Neuroscience) degree from the University of New South Wales.  She has been accepted into the postdoctoral Doctor of Medicine Program at the University of Sydney

CITY

City Branch TAFE Tertiary Preparation Course Award for Academic Merit and Proceeding to University Studies
Brianna Lumb – enrolled in a Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours) (Dean Scholar) at the University of Wollongong

NORTH SHORE

North Shore Branch Prize for 300 Level Psychology – Macquarie University for proficiency in 300-level Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences
Tina Huang-Smith

North Shore Branch Prize for 200 Level Modern History – Macquarie University for proficiency in at least 2 units at 200-level Modern History
Olivia Price

North Shore Branch Prize for 200 Level Ancient History – Macquarie University for proficiency in at least 2 units at 200-level Ancient History
Ginger-Rose Harrington

North Shore Branch Prize for 200 Level Bio Science – Macquarie University for proficiency in at least 2 units at 200-level Biological Sciences
Unawarded this year

National Awards

Barbara Hale Fellowship/s
Sukanya Jaiswal – PhD Candidate, Optometry (UNSW)

TEMPE MANN TRAVELLING SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO ASHLEA HAMBLETON

This year’s Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship, for overseas or interstate research, was awarded to Ashlea Hambleton. This scholarship is named in honour of Ms Tempe Mann, a teacher and University of Sydney alumni. Ashlea is a 3rd year PhD Student in Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and a Clinical Psychologist who has a Master of Clinical Psychology (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons 1).

Her thesis title is Family Based Treatment via Telemedicine for Rural and Regional Young People with Anorexia Nervosa. Sadly Anorexia nervosa (AN), more common among women than men, is the most lethal form of mental illness. Ashlea intends to visit Kings College London (KCL) Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences (IOPPN) which has a leading eating disorder clinical-research centre whose team pioneered the early models of specialised family therapy for AN. During her time at this centre, Ashlea will be observing and assisting with clinical research projects and hopes to embed these findings in her PhD research and project outcome.

As a clinician-researcher Ashlea is working in the bridge between research and practice. She will learn from the team at IOPPN but also share her local experience because Australia has utilised telehealth services more than the UK, although practice is changing due to COVID. Ashlea has already worked with vulnerable communities in her role as a Clinical Psychologist and will be ready to make an impact as soon as she finishes her PhD. She is the first person in the country to try to adapt this therapy to telehealth. We wish her the very best with her work and look forward to hearing more of her research upon her return.

The field of applicants for this year’s scholarship was as impressive as always, and special mention is made of runner up, Erin Humphries. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) Chemistry and is also enrolled as a Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Her research work looks at formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and their use in large-scale phosphoproteomic cancer biomarker studies, to develop a data driven approach to cancer diagnoses and improve treatment decision-making. We wish Erin all the best with her important research and hope to hear more of her progress.

The Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship was made possible by the bequest of the late Ms Tempe Mann and the generosity of GW-NSW members. We thank them, and the scholarship assessors, for their generous support of this scholarship.

GRADUATE WOMEN NSW – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: HELD 29 OCTOBER IN COWRA

This year’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 29 October and hosted by the Central West Branch in Cowra. Members enjoyed travelling to the region and the hospitality of the Central West members.

Guest speaker was Annette Udall, a Leadership and Learning Consultant and past School Principal. Annette spoke engagingly on Leadership lessons: A journey.

Dr Jane Baker, Annette Udall, Tricia Blombery

At the event, the 2023 Executive members were confirmed and we take pleasure in announcing the following:

President:      ‘Tricia Blombery
Vice President: Susan Wilson
Vice President: Merle Thompson
Treasurer:        Christine Yeats
Secretary:    Susan Flaxman

Thank you to these wonderful volunteers and to all those who made the journey to reflect on Graduate Women NSW’s work in 2022.

ANNOUNCING THE 2022 JAMIESON AWARD RECIPIENT

This year’s Jamieson Award attracted a highly competitive field and Graduate Women NSW is delighted to announce tthis year’s award recipient is Leyla Meharg. Leyla is enrolled in a B. Science and B Advanced Studies, Physiology Honours at the University of Sydney.

In the true spirit of the Jamieson Award, Leyla’s academic record is extremely impressive and she is a multiple prize winner: receiving a Sydney University Honours Scholarship, Academic Excellence Merit Prize and Dean’s List Award, among others. But her extra-curricular and community work shows a desire to give back and support others on their educational path.

Described by her referees as a motivated and delightful student with excellent research career prospects, Leyla has volunteered as a Science Peer Mentor, Research Subject Student leader program and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. She has also supported her community through involvement with National Parks NSW and the Illawarra Climate Committee, and community and charities through Relay for Life and the National Blood Donation program.

Leyla intends to use the funds to attend research conferences in her chosen field, allowing her to develop her skills as a researcher. She is also looking to further postgraduate study through a PhD. We wish her well with her future studies.

Thank you to all those who applied and GW-NSW wishes you well with your studies and chosen field.

SOPHIA HOLLAND LECTURE WITH PROF PATRICIA M DAVIDSON, VC UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG – ‘WOMEN’S HEALTH IS GLOBAL HEALTH’

The Graduate Women NSW Sophia Holland Lecture once again featured a leading educator in Professor Patricia M. Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN, Vice-Chancellor and President (2021-present), The University of Wollongong.

Professor Davidson is a global leader in health education, an advocate and champion of women’s health and one of only ten women Vice Chancellors in Australia.

Held MONDAY 18 JULY – VIA ZOOM – A recording will soon be made available to members.

Professor Davidson joined the University of Wollongong as Vice-Chancellor in May 2021. Prior to her current role, she was dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore in the United States. In 2021 she was the recipient of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leader Award. This honour celebrates her exceptional contributions to the advancement of global health worldwide.

As a global leader in nursing, health care, and advocacy, Professor Davidson’s work focuses on person-centred care delivery and the improvement of cardiovascular health outcomes for women and vulnerable populations. She has extensively studied chronic conditions, transitional care, palliative care, and the translation of innovative, acceptable, and sustainable health initiatives across the world.

Professor Davidson serves as counsel general of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues, and was a past board member of CUGH and secretary general of the Secretariat of the World Health Organizations Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery. She also serves on the Board of Health Care Services for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the United States.

 

PROJECT FOR ACTION – RISE Education with SHINE FOR KIDS

This year’s Project for Action is the RISE Education program run by SHINE FOR KIDS. The RISE Education program gives primary-age students with a parent in prison access to a support system that encourages their learning and development.

SHINE for Kids has been delivering programs and services to children and young people affected by the criminal justice system for 40 years. 145,000 children under 16 have had a parent in custody. As SHINE describes, children with a parent in prison are the invisible victims of crime, experiencing additional trauma associated with having a parent in prison, as well as disruptions to their care and education. It’s no surprise that women and their children are disproportionally represented in this area with 60% of women and 46% men in custody having children.

Nationally, SHINE delivers programs in 32 correctional centres and provides community programs in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC and WA. Graduate Women’s Project for Action shines a spotlight on this organisation delivering important programs to children’s education and invites members to donate to the fund. You can read more about the work of SHINE for KIDS and the RISE Education program.

If you would like to donate to the RISE Education program, please direct your donation using the options below:

ONLINE: GW-NSW (ANZ) ACC: 300 706 398  BSB: 012 670 (Please include RISE + your name)

BY CHEQUE: LG Floor, 280 Pitt St, Sydney 2000 (Please include RISE + your name)

GRADUATE WOMEN JOIN NCW NSW TO CELEBRATE HISTORY

As one of the foundation groups of National Council of Women NSW, Graduate Women-NSW were thrilled to celebrate their twice postponed 125th+ Anniversary at QVB Tea Room, in Sydney.

Two tables of our members supported the celebration. The National Anthem was led by soloist, Clare McCallum and Councillor Yvonne Weldon, City of Sydney and Deputy Chairperson, Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council and proud Wiradjuri woman, gave us a moving Welcome to Country.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW

The highlight of the day was NCW NSW Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, who delighted us with ‘setting the scene’ of what Sydney was like at the time of the inaugural meeting at the Sydney Town Hall, with 200 women in attendance. She also talked about the Windeyer family, the built environment of the 1890s, and the various tea rooms that were in existence around Sydney where women would meet.

Stuart Grigg and Dr Barry Baker representing GW-NSW

Unfortunately, the advertised guest speaker, Geraldine Doogue AO, was unable to attend due to ABC commitments. Most impressive was Leshia Bubniuk, of the Ukrainian Women’s Association, who bravely and cheerfully MC’d the event. She, and her large group of members all in hand-embroidered traditional garments, were devastated at the end of the event to hear the tragic news that the Russian President had given the order for a military invasion of their country.

GW-NSW President Tricia Blombery has sent warm wishes to Leshia and was pleased to hear in return that the close family members of some of the attending women (mostly Australian born) have been able to escape to Poland.

 

Members and executives of Graduate Women

Photos courtesy of volunteer photographer, Michael Mannington OAM.