The Huon Valley Council is delighted to support Huon Valley residents Maya Bakowski, Madison Casey, Anita Hennekam and Niah Hennekam to undertake university studies in health and medicine under the Greg Norris Memorial Health Scholarship 2021.

We are pleased to provide the Greg Norris Memorial Health Scholarship Program annually as part of our commitment to lifelong learning, innovation and the sustainability of health services in the Huon Valley.

The scholarship program honors the memory of former Huon Valley Mayor, the late Greg Norris, who was very passionate about having quality health services in the Huon Valley.

Mr Norris was the first mayor of the Huon Valley, following the amalgamation of the Huon, Port Cygnet and Esperance Councils in 1993. Mr Norris remained Mayor until he passed away in 2001.

This year’s official scholarship presentation was held on Wednesday 12 May, with Mr Norris’s wife Betty as a special guest.

Left: Deputy Mayor Sally Doyle and Madison Casey. Right: Maya Bakowski and Betty Norris

Maya Bakowski will be undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing, which will provide the opportunity to work in a variety of fields that offer many different experiences and learnings. In the future, Maya hopes to work in midwifery and in a general practice in her local community.

Madison Casey will be studying a Bachelor of Medical Research, which will enable her to pursue her interest in finding treatments, causes and cures for different medical conditions. Madison would like to find a place in a research institute such as the Menzies Centre.

“Like many remote and rural locations in Australia, the Huon Valley is in great need of more health service professionals to support the health and wellbeing of our communities”

Anita Hennekam will be continuing her studies and enrolling in Bachelor of Nursing to become a registered nurse. Anita is interested in paediatric care, and believes the Huon Valley could benefit greatly with more attention on youth mental and sexual health.

Niah Hennekam will be undertaking Bachelor of Paramedicine, and hopes to be a qualified paramedic working in the south of Tasmania and with southern hospitals by 2023. Niah believes becoming a paramedic would be very rewarding, because she will be able to help others in the Huon Valley region.

Deputy Mayor Sally Doyle, Niah Hennekam, Anita Hennekam and Betty Norris

“Council wishes Maya, Madison, Anita and Niah all the best for your studies,” said Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders.

“Like many remote and rural locations in Australia, the Huon Valley is in great need of more health service professionals to support the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“I congratulate each our award recipients on your decision to pursue a career in health and medicine. I have full confidence you will achieve highly in your studies and make outstanding and important contributions to the communities you choose to work in.”