In 2026, NAIDOC marks “50 years of Deadly” .

“This moment is about looking back at the stories, the marches, the languages, the art, the leadership. At the strength it took to get here. It’s about recognising how far we’ve come, not by chance, but because generations of people refused to be silenced. It’s also about the here and now, who we are today. Grounded in culture. Strong in our identity. Leading change across every field, from health and education to media, business, and the arts”

In the spirit of NAIDOC Week, the Australian Federation of Medical Women celebrates the 6th year of the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program by announcing nine (9) recipients of the 2026 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursaries.

This year also marks an important milestone for the Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Program, as we announce the largest group of recipients awarded to date, with a growing Alumnae who are active in shaping its future.

Each bursary recipient will receive $1500 towards furthering their medical career and studies. We are delighted that the Program continues to grow in recognition, scope and purpose, with sincere thanks to our generous donors.

The first gathering of the Alumnae took place at the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association Conference in Sydney in November last year, with more planned for the future.

Our thanks to Dr Loyola Wills, Purple Bush Medicine Bursary Recipient, who has been updating the Program webpage, and has designed a beautiful Certificate for the recipients, to acknowledge their success.

Make a Contribution

If you would like to make a contribution to the Program, or to provide funds towards a Bursary in future ($1500), please be in contact by email [email protected] or donate securely online. With more substantial funding, additional ventures will be possible, to advance the aspirations for this remarkable cohort of medical women.

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 twenty five) 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 2026 recipients!

We very pleased to announce the recipients 2026 Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program.

Congratulations to this year’s nine recipients, that comprise four medical students and five junior doctors and specialist trainees, including in the field of obstetrics, psychiatry, critical care and rural medicine .

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.

(In Alphabetical order)

Dr Montana Chugg

Dr Montana Chugg is an outspoken and passionate palawa luna from Lutruwita (Tasmanian Aboriginal woman). Inspired by her time spent in 2024 in Yarrabah at Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, she is now undertaking training (PGY4) in Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (RGA) at Cairns Hospital within the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (ACRRM). Her goal is to support safe obstetric services for women in remote communities.

Ms Ellen MacDonald

Ms Ellen MacDonald, of Kamilaroi 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 Berth Bootha Lamey) endured. Ellen plans to attend the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) annual conference in 2026 to pursue leadership opportunities in Indigenous health, cultural safety and governance, being the Aboriginal Representative and UQ representative for 2026. She has a strong interest in anaesthetics, and in addressing the disparity in Australian Aboriginals’ life expectancy to make a positive impact towards Aboriginal health outcomes.

Dr Leah Moncrieff

Dr Leah Moncrieff is a descendant of Jidda, a Migunberri woman from the Yugambeh nation in Far North Queensland. Inspired by the strength and resilience of her great-great Granny Clarke, she undertook medical training at James Cook University, in Bebegu Yumba (Townsville) graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours). Also a talented musician, and now a junior doctor (PGY2) in Cairns Hospital, she aspires to become an Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist and plans to attend the RANZCOG Regional Symposium.

Ms Nikolina Morgan

Ms Nikolina Morgan is an Indigenous medical student from Peramangk but living and working on Dharug country. Now in the third year of her medical course, she aspires to become a general surgeon, and to this end, plans to attend the RACS Surgical Skills Cadaver Workshop. Having interests in anatomy, general surgery, trauma, procedure type medicine and improving culturally safe healthcare, she would like to raise awareness of the importance of representation of First Nations peoples in Medicine and in Surgery.

Ms Lauren Navarrete

Ms Lauren Navarrete is a Dunghutti woman from NSW, undertaking a dual Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degree at Flinders University. Now based in Darwin, she has a strong and growing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, particularly in rural and remote communities. She has an interest in mental health and hopes to work as a psychiatrist in rural and remote Australia, contributing to services that are more accessible, culturally safe, and genuinely shaped in partnership with the community. She also plans to attend PRIDoC in Taiwan in 2026.

Dr Shoshanna Scott

Dr Shoshanna Scott is a Wirlomin woman, who graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Notre Dame Fremantle in 2024. Prior to medicine, she completed a Bachelor of Nursing and worked both rurally and in Perth as a Registered Nurse. She completed her clinical medical years and intern year in Busselton and Bunbury with the Rural Clinical School of WA. An active member of Australia Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME), she is now training (PGY2) within the Rural Generalist Pathway, with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Dr Megan Shuttleworth

Dr Megan Shuttleworth is a proud Yugambeh woman of the Bundjalung Nation who has had the privilege of growing up, studying and now working on Country. She is currently a Senior Resident Medical Officer (PGY3) at Tweed Valley Hospital, and her goal is to pursue a career in Critical Care Medicine and “ build a career caring for the sickest patients while advocating for equitable, culturally safe healthcare.” She plans to attend Advanced Life support Courses, including ALS2, BASIC (Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care) and Paediatric Life Support (PLS), as well as AIDA in 2026

Ms Eden Siemsen

Ms Eden Siemsen, a Gubbi Gubbi woman and qualified Paramedic, who grew up in Giabal and Jarowair country (Toowoomba), 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. Her career aspiration is to become a General Practitioner dedicated to providing culturally safe, equitable, and accessible healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Dr Lauren Whitington

Dr Lauren Whitington is an Arabana and Southern Arrernte woman and intern (PGY1) doctor within the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, currently working across emergency medicine, rural general practice and hospital medicine. She has a strong interest in clinical epidemiology, health equity and improving cardiovascular outcomes for Indigenous Australians. At PRIDoC in 2024 she presented a research paper concerning diabetes care in the remote Aboriginal community of Nepabunna, an experience she found to be life changing. She now plans to attend PRIDoC in Taiwan in 2026.

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 and 2026 ( previously $1000 in 2023, and $1250 in 2024).

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, Dr Mary-Rita See, Adjunct Professor Colin Saltmere and Dr Simone Raye from the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) for their ongoing encouragement, and oversight of the Bursaries.

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.

“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.” NAIDOC 2026