The Australian Federation of Medical Women, as part of their commitment to reconciliation and the Makarrata Commission would like to encourage and empower a female medical graduate who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, to further their medical career and/or leadership aspirations.
The Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program, inaugurated in 2021 and now in its 4th year, is one component of a broader Project of the AFMW – to advance the parity of representation of First Nations Peoples in the Australian medical workforce, and in its leadership.
In 2025, at least four (4) bursaries to the value of $1500 will be available for this purpose, with the awards to be announced in NAIDOC Week (7-13 July 2025). You will notice that the Bursary amount has been increased again this year, in line with the cost of living increases, and with the support and generosity of the donors.
The recipients will include women who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, are Medical Graduates or in their final year of medicine of an Australian medical degree or course.
The bursaries will provide the recipients with a financial contribution to assist their attendance and/or presentation at a national or international meeting that focuses on issues related to Indigenous Medicine and Education, Women in Medicine, Ethics, Leadership and/or Governance (see suggestions below).
Please apply online by Monday 30 June 2025 or by downloading the application form then emailing the completed form with personal statement to [email protected].
- Monday 26 May 2025 – Applications open (National Sorry Day)
- Monday 30 June 2025 – Applications close
- NAIDOC Week 7-13 July 2025 – Bursary Recipients formally announced
The Presentation of the Bursary may be held at a dinner event of the relevant State Medical Women’s Society and/or at the AFMW Face to Face meeting in November, either in person or virtually.
If you have any queries or concerns when completing this application, please do not hesitate to contact the bursary co-co-ordinator Dr Lydia Pitcher at [email protected]
The Bursary is part of the AFMW’s Commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan.
It has been made possible through contributions to the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Project, initiated in 2019, on the occasion of the Centennial of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), and in collaboration with Artist Louise Numina and designer Pia du Pradal. One goal of this project is to move towards parity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation within the medical profession in Australia.
Each Bursary will provide the recipient with financial support to attend an event to enable professional development, recognition, networking, academic advancement, and leadership opportunity. The AFMW would like to learn from the recipients’ experiences, and as such, feedback after the event would be greatly appreciated but is not required.
It is hoped that the recipients of the Bursaries will also receive other non-financial benefits through their connection with the Bursary Program, such as mentoring and engagement with the diversity of medical women and their interests within the AFMW.
Suggested meetings and conferences for which the Bursary may relevant are listed below, and include national and international meetings and events.
