First Nations Telegraph

Demonstrating its commitment to advancing the careers of First Nations health professionals, the Bupa Foundation is proud to announce Kawana Crowe, Bryony Forrest and Brodie Seymour as recipients of the 2025 Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship.

 

Established in 2018, the Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship is an annual program developed by the Bupa Foundation to honour the legacy of Dr Scott, a former resident of Bupa’s Mount Sheridan aged care home and a proud Indigenous leader, who spent her life fighting for the rights of all peoples.

 

With expanded funding for the program in 2025, the three winners will receive $20,000 to help support their studies, while five runners-ups will receive $10,000 each.

 

Kawana Crowe, a Master of Biostatistics student at the University of Sydney and a proud Wiradjuri woman was recognised for her work in uplifting fellow First Nations university students to ensure they can best succeed in their studies.

 

“With the help of this scholarship, I want to make a difference in treatment options and quality of healthcare for First Nations people suffering with cancer or genetic illness… I believe that this area will be an area of lifelong work for me,” Kawana said.

 

Bryony Forrest, a Pharmacy student at RMIT from Boonwurrung country was acknowledged for her impact and advocacy on topics such as Cultural Safety and First Nations health.

 

“It’s an honour to be a recipient of a scholarship fund named after Dr Evelyn Scott. Her many contributions to the community will continue to be forever felt by mob, and it’s my hope that I can live up to even just a few of her values,” Bryony said.

 

Brodie, a Doctor of Medicine student at Griffith University who grew up in the traditional lands of the Kalkadoon people was recognised for his work with the University’s Indigenous Support Unit where he facilitates school visits, promotes tertiary education and inspires First Nations students to aim high.

 

“My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact on the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and nonIndigenous Australians. This scholarship also reinforces my commitment to serving my community,” Brodie said.

 

Roger Sharp, Bupa’s Asia Pacific Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer congratulated this year’s recipients for their outstanding achievements and passion for advancing health outcomes in First Nations communities.

 

“It’s an honour to be able to support the careers of these inspiring young students who are each blazing their own unique trails in the Australian health industry while giving back to their people.

 

“This Scholarship is an important part of Bupa’s commitment to support the development of emerging First Nations health professionals as outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan. It also gives us the opportunity to honour Dr. Scott’s legacy in a meaningful and lasting way,” Roger said.

 

Five $10,000 runner-up scholarships were also awarded to:

• Kate Jenner, Bachelor of Medical Studies at the University of New South Wales

• Jessica Jeffery, Doctor of Medicine, Western Sydney University

• Alyssa Herro, Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney

• Aislinn Trudgen, Bachelor of Nursing at University of South Australia

• Charlotte Walker, Bachelor of Biomedical Science at University of Western Australia

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