Rotary Indigenous Scholarships
There is a huge gap in the life expectancy between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians. This is an unacceptable situation and for $2500 we can do something about it. 
Australian Rotary Health partners with Rotary Clubs to offer scholarships to indigenous medical students who are studying to become medical professionals. These scholarships often mean the difference between pass and fail for these students. Sometimes they get little support from their family and struggle to carry on. Even so, these scholarships are only offered to second year students who have proven that they can pass the first year of studies.
Australian Rotary Health partners with Rotary Clubs to offer scholarships to indigenous medical students who are studying to become medical professionals. These scholarships often mean the difference between pass and fail for these students. Sometimes they get little support from their family and struggle to carry on. Even so, these scholarships are only offered to second year students who have proven that they can pass the first year of studies. With more indigenous medical professionals in the workforce, we see that there will be an increase in confidence within the indigenous patients. This in itself will lead to better outcomes. Education is a key to Reconciliation as well. These medical professionals will be seen as role models for the younger generation, showing them that they, too, can achieve if they wish.
The scholarship costs the Club $2500. This is matched by Government so that the student receives $5000 in total. There is no ongoing commitment. The club can participate for any length of time it wants to, but it is a year-by-year decision.
Some of our 9700 Clubs are already involved and I thank them most sincerely but if you haven't as yet, please give this some serious thought when you are deciding your club’s disbursements. A scholarship will make a huge difference to many lives. Contact Cheryl Deguarra at Australian Rotary Health on 02 8837 1900, and she will get the ball rolling. Alternatively, you can contact me on 0402 488 349.
PDG John Egan