This year’s theme for the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC, is The Next Generation – Strength, Vision and Legacy, “celebrating not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.”

It seems so appropriate that the Australian Federation of Medical Women can celebrate the 5th year of the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program along with NAIDOC’s 50th anniversary by announcing five recipients of the 2025 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursaries.

This is one more bursary than last year, and with an increase in the amount to $1500 thanks to our generous donors (see below).

Our Strength is in empowering the Bursary recipients to further their careers as medical women who give back so much to their community, and/or would like to become leaders in the field.

Our Vision is to increase the parity of the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in medicine, and to reduce the health disparities of First Nations Peoples, particularly of women and children.

Our Legacy will be an Alumnae of Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary recipients (now numbering sixteen) who can be a Voice to the Australian Federation of Medical Women, and the wider community to express their views, and address issues about which they are passionate.

Congratulations to Our Bursary Recipients

And so, we very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program.

Congratulations to this year’s five recipients, that include two medical students, two junior doctors (PGY2) and one specialist trainee, in her final year of training.

Their achievements and aspirations will be profiled during the coming weeks.

We warmly welcome all past and recent Alumnae of the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program recipients as a “Voice” to AFMW, and their local Medical Women’s Societies.

Ms Eden Siemson

Ms Eden Siemson a Gubbi Gubbi woman and qualified Paramedic, who grew up in Toowoomba (Giabal and Jarowair country) is now studying for a Doctor of Medicine at University of Queensland. She has worked at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and serves as a student ambassador, supporting peers and promoting pathways into healthcare for indigenous youth.

Ms Ellen MacDonald

Ms Ellen MacDonald, of Kamiliaroi heritage, who is a first year Doctor of Medicine student at University of Queensland, and has become deeply aware of the injustices her distant relatives (including Bertha Bootha Lamey) endured. Ellen plans to attend the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) annual conference in 2025 to pursue leadership opportunities in Indigenous health, cultural safety and governance.

Dr Loyola Wills

Dr Loyola Wills, is a medical woman from the Wagadagam Tribe, situated at Mabuyag and Badu Lag in Zenadth Kes, the Torres Strait Islands. Loyola is “first and foremost a mother of two kaazi (young children)”, and training as a junior doctor (PGY2) on the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM) Program. She is part of the Torres Strait Islander Doctors’ group (Igilyawa “Custodians of Life”) who travelled as a group to Country in 2024. This was the subject of her moving key-note presentation at the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Conference in Adelaide as Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Recipient in 2024. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Flinders University, before completing a Doctor of Medicine MD.

Dr Kirsten Dukes

Dr Kirsten Dukes, a Wiradjuri and Gunu woman, completed a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Notre Dame, Sydney and is now in her final year of post-graduate training in Psychiatry, at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. She has interests in education and training and is an adjunct/conjoint lecturer at three Universities (CSU, UNDA and UNSW). She aims to sub-specialise in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and to remain on Country in a rural region.

Dr Lucinda Colbert

Dr Lucinda Colbert, is a Gunggari woman, who has completed a Doctor of Medicine at Western Sydney University, and is currently PGY2 at Townsville University Hospital.
She is an ACCRM Registrar, and on the AGPT (Australian General Practice Training Program) and member of the IGPTN (Indigenous General Practice Trainee Network). She is passionate about patient centred care, and plans to progress to advanced skills in Paediatrics in PGY4, having completed Paediatric BASIC last year, and the Graduate Diploma in Children’s Health. She has received the Ganna prize for outstanding Aboriginal medical student and the George Chao Yiang Hu medical education teaching and learning prize, and has been involved in mentoring with Doctors4Doctors.

Thank you to our Donors

Due to the generosity and expanding number of donors, and in line with cost of living pressures, we have been able to increase the number and the amount of each Bursary amount, and now $1500 in 2025 ( previously $1000 in 2023, and $1250 in 2024). We sincerely thank our donors:

Ochre Health
Regional Economic Solutions
Dr Mary-Rita See (by private donation)
The Myuma Group
The Healing Foundation

Thank you to out-going Ochre Health representative, Mr Sean Grant, for his important role nurturing and promoting the program from its early roots.

We are also especially grateful to Ms Leann Wilson, and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) for their ongoing encouragement, and oversight of the Bursaries in 2025.

Also thank you to Ms Louise Numina, for painting the signature Purple Bush Medicine Leaves artwork associated with the Bursary Program.

Once again, thank you to all the supporters, advisors, referees, and donors who have made the Program possible, from its inception in 2018 until now.

These include Ms Pia du Pradal for her vision and support, along with Ms Jodi Curnow-Baker in the production of the beautiful video that documents this.

If you would like to contribute and support the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves program, please contact [email protected]

“As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.” See more at www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-theme