Scholarships
Department of Health, Victoria: Rural Emergency Nursing Scholarships
Introduction
In 2026 the Albert Coates Memorial Trust, in association with the Australian Legion of Ex-Service Men and Women is funding scholarships for Division 1 Registered Nurses working in the Department of Health – Loddon Mallee region, Victoria.
Scholarship Information
Amount
The Trust is offering scholarships to cover or assist with course fees for up to 12 months, varying in value from $2,500 to $10,000.
Applications
Online applications can be made using the application form available on the Albert Coates Memorial Trust website from Monday, 7 July 2025. The closing date for applications is COB Monday, 29 September 2025.
Eligibility
The scholarships are available for registered nurses in the Loddon Mallee region who intend to undertake courses commencing in 2026 in one of the following categories:
- A rural and isolated practice course (RIPRN). This course allows the RN to apply for endorsement for scheduled medicines (rural and isolated practice) as described by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
- Nurse Practitioner. An approved program of study to become a nurse practitioner in the rural environment.
- Post-graduate studies in emergency OR critical care.
Applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and
- hold a nursing degree or equivalent qualification, and
- have current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and
- hold current employment with any Victorian public health service in the Loddon Mallee region.
Applicants must be supported by their employing Loddon Mallee region health service.
Preference would be given to applicants who are descendants or relatives of ex-servicemen/women however, the Trust is flexible with this criterion to ensure the recruitment of quality applicants.
Application criteria
Before applying for the scholarships, applicants should seek endorsement from their sponsoring health service. Scholarships are only provided for study undertaken in 2026.
Each applicant and their sponsoring health service should complete the Sir Albert Coates 2026 Rural Nursing Scholarships Application Form (attached) and email the application by the due date. Applicants are also required to include a copy of their Curriculum Vitae and any supporting evidence of their relationship to current or ex-servicemen/women.
Applications should be emailed to:
Short-listed applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview which will take place in October/November 2025. All decisions of the sub-committee are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Once approved, scholarship recipients will need to provide evidence of their offer of a place in their selected course, after which the funds for course fees will be transferred to the employing health service.
Scholarship Terms and Conditions
Once approved, scholarship recipients will need to provide evidence of their offer of a place in their selected course, after which the funds for the course will be transferred to the applicant VIA the sponsoring health service.
Scholarship recipients will be expected to provide written reports to their sponsoring health service and to the Coates Trust, including upon completing your course.
The Trust encourages scholarship recipients to promote the work of the Trust whenever it is appropriate to do so. Recipients of the scholarships may be required to give a presentation about their experiences at a Trust occasion.
For further information contact:
Lynda Waller, Manager, Health Performance, Loddon Mallee Region, North-East Health Services, Department of Health.
Email –
Previous Awardees for Rural Emergency Nursing, including Nurse Practitioner, RIPERN and Critical Care courses
-
2025
- Karen Stewart
-
2024
- Asha James
-
2023
- Gurjit Kaur Sangha
- William Wallace
- Stephanie Vick
-
2022
No Scholarship applications received.
-
2021
- Jeenmariam Lal
-
2020
- Bambi Reichman
- Melissa Gardner
- Elise Wright
-
2019
- Deborah Bennett
- Elizabeth Lawrence
- Kerryn Osborne
-
2018
- Jessica Noordewier
-
2017
- Amy Aeschlimann
- Vanessa Jenkins
-
2016
- Alison Noble
- Kellie Woodhouse
- Michelle Holland
- Ken Holland
- Nicole Magnisalis
- Susan White
- Lynne Coates
- Emma-Jane Lush
-
2015
- Bissy Ajithkumar
- Katherine Pitcher
- Sharon Bartlett
- Rebecca Kay
-
2014
- Judith Thomson
- Trish Heinrich
- Kate Pitcher
- Ros Thomas
-
2013
- Ruth Clifton
-
2012
- Margaret 'Jade' Beechey
- Susan Hollingworth
- Rachel Taylor
-
2011
- Debra Daniels
- Justine Rea
- Martin Starick
-
2009
- Elizabeth Newton
- Tricia Kinsey
-
2008
- Breanna Barber
- Carmen Grenfell
- Deborah Clancy