VPNG Scholarships
The VPNG aims is to provide scholarship and grant opportunities to meet the professional development and educational needs of Victorian perioperative nurses.
Please click the VPNG Scholarship tab and select scholarship or grant for further information.
Sister Mary Felix and June Allen Scholarship
Sister Mary Felix AM (1919-2008) and June Allen AM are inaugural members of the Theatre Sisters Section of the Royal Victorian College of Nursing, Life members of the VPNG and Honorary Fellows of the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses. The VPNG is privileged to name scholarships for postgraduate studies in perioperative nursing, to honour their achievements in the development of the nursing profession.
The Sister Mary Felix and June Allen Scholarships are for postgraduate studies at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma level in perioperative nursing. These Scholarships are only for nurses practicing in Victoria in the area of perioperative nursing. The scholarship is worth $2,000. The number of scholarships awarded annually will be determined by the VPNG Committee and by the annual budget. Non VPNG members eligible to apply. Membership is a requirement for all successful applicants.
Please click here to apply
Applications open 1st Feb close 31st Mar
Mary Barry / Medtronic Education Grant
Named in honour of respected Life member of VPNG and Honorary Fellow of the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses Mary Barry OAM (1926-2012), and now proudly sponsored by Medtronic.
The Mary Barry Medtronic Education Grant, is awarded to support Victorian Perioperative Nurses Group members in their ongoing professional development in perioperative nursing by project work, research, conference attendance, courses such as Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or Infection Control or any other courses related to perioperative nursing. The Grant is worth up to $2,000 with two rounds of applications per year. Only VPNG members for at least 2 years are eligible to apply.
Please click here to apply
Applications #1 – open 1st Feb close 31st Mar
Lyn Saunders Professional Development Scholarship
Named in honour of Lyn Saunders (1935-2018) a long time VPNG member. Lyn bequeathed $10,000 to assist perioperative nurses undertaking the Perioperative Nurses Surgical Assistant Course as well as perioperative Enrolled Nurses undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing.
The Lyn Saunders Professional Development Scholarship is divided into two streams:
Stream 1 – support Victorian perioperative nurses undertaking Perioperative Nurse Surgical Assistant qualification. This Scholarship is only for perioperative nurses practicing in Victoria. Applicants are required to demonstrate the relevance of the PNSA course to their current professional practice in perioperative nursing. One scholarship will be awarded at $2,000. Only VPNG members for at least 2 years are eligible to apply.
Stream 2 – support perioperative enrolled nurses who are undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing. These Scholarships are only for nurses practicing in Victoria in the area of perioperative nursing. One scholarship will be awarded at $2,000. Non VPNG members eligible to apply. Membership is a requirement for all successful applicants.
Please click here to apply
Applications open from 1st Jun to 31st Jul (Not offered in 2024)
Marea Fennell Scholarship
This scholarship for postgraduate studies in management or education is named for esteemed Life Member of VPNG, Marea Fennell (1939-2010). The inaugural scholarship commemorated the 50th Anniversary of VPNG.
The Marea Fennell Scholarship is awarded to support Victorian Perioperative Nurses undertaking postgraduate studies at a Masters level majoring in Management or Education. This Scholarship is only for nurses practicing in Victoria. Applicants are required to demonstrate the relevance of the postgraduate study to their current professional practice in perioperative nursing. The Scholarship is awarded up to $2,500 annually. Only VPNG members for at least 2 years are eligible to apply.
Please click here to apply
Applications open 1st Aug close 30th Sep
VPNG and ACORN Conference Grants
Grants for VPNG members to attend the biennial VPNG and ACORN Conferences are made available every year.
The number of Grants awarded will be determined by the annual budget.
The VPNG/ACORN Conference Grant for 2024 will be to the value of $1,000 each.
– Applications open 1st August and closes 30th September 2024
The Victorian Perioperative Nurses Group acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of the land and acknowledges and pays respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.
VPNG is comitted to safe and inclusive workplaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their families.