The University of New South Wales

Neil Balnaves is a member of the Advisory Council of the University of NSW Faculty of Medicine. The Balnaves Foundation has committed $480,000 to fund four Indigenous medical student scholarships, an award fund for research in Indigenous health and a prize for the best performing student in the area of Indigenous Health.

Tyron Clayworth, Kyharne Biles and Andrew Julian, from Port Macquarie, Dubbo and Sydney, are the first recipients of the Balnaves Scholarships, each receiving $25,000 a year for the duration of their six-year medical degree.

One of the main stresses Indigenous students face is financial, with many having disadvantaged backgrounds and financial responsibilities above and beyond that of non-Indigenous students. The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarship provides funds to assist talented Indigenous students studying medicine at UNSW.

UNSW wish to produce high quality Indigenous medical graduates who are committed to improving the state of Indigenous health, mentoring medical undergraduates and act as role models in their communities. UNSW reordered its biggest intake of Indigenous medical students this year, with eight young people on the path to becoming doctors. It is a significant boost to a profession populated by only 140 Indigenous medical practitioners. UNSW has 27 Indigenous medical students, against an average of 7.5 in other medical schools nationally.

The Dean of Medicine, Professor Peter Smith speaking with Ms Alex Honor

 Andrew Julian (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Ms Alex Honor, Mr Neil Balnaves, Tyron Clayworth (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Khyarne Biles (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Madison Reynolds (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Mr Hamish Balnaves

John-Paul Favero (ILP winner), Mr Hamish Balnaves, Ms Alex Honor, Mr Neil Balnaves, Jessica Wade (ILP winner), Professor Peter Smith

John-Paul Favero (ILP winner), Justine Brindle (Executive Officer, Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine), Genevieve McAuliffe (Administrative Officer, Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine), Jessica Wade (ILP Winner), Tyron Clayworth (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Andrew Julian (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Madison Reynolds (Indigenous Medical Scholar), Mr Michael Peachey (Student Services Co-ordinator, Nura Gili Indigenous Programs), Dr Lesley Forster (Head of Rural Clinical School), Khyarne Biles (Indigenous Medical Scholar)

For furthur information please visit The University of New South Wales website