Two Koori students were today awarded scholarships valued at $41,000, under a new scheme by the Andrews Labor Government to boost the number of Aboriginal health workers in prisons.
Minister for Corrections Wade Noonan awarded the inaugural Justice Health Koori Tertiary Scholarships to nursing students Virginia Vaughan and Storm Henry at an event as part of NAIDOC week.
Mr Noonan said more Koori health workers making a career in the corrections system would support the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of Koori prisoners.
The program is a key plank of Corrections Victoria’s Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Plan to ensure that people who work with Kooris understand and respect the cultural values and diversity of Aborigines.
Ms Vaughan is in her second year of a Bachelor of Nursing at the Institute of Koori Education at Deakin University.
Ms Henry is in her third year of a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery at Monash University.
The presentation is one of many NAIDOC events this week across both prisons and Community Correctional Services.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Wade Noonan
“These scholarships are the first of their kind in Victoria and are an important step towards growing the Aboriginal health workforce.”
“Our government recognises the significant influence of culture on justice. This program will deliver more personalised health care for Aboriginal prisoners, who are over-represented in the criminal justice system.”
“We are proud to support Aboriginal students by providing vital funding that allows them to excel in their chosen health field and to help others in need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020