Nursing student Indiana Shamroze-Tumes recipient of 2019 David Bowler Memorial Award

The David Bowler Memorial Award $5,000 scholarship recipient for 2019 has a passion for paediatric nursing and hopes to pursue midwifery training in Broken Hill after she graduates.

Indiana Shamroze-Tumes (21) has just started her third year in her Bachelor of Nursing external course at the University of South Australia. She has worked as an Assistant Nurse at the Broken Hill Hospital for three years and hopes on graduation to work as a Paediatric Registered Nurse with Far West LHD.

“I want to give back to the local community and work to improve the health outcomes for children living in Broken Hill and the Far West region,” she said of her career aspirations.

Indiana said she is extremely passionate about paediatrics. “I love the complexity and challenges of working with infants and children and the joy on their faces after they have been nursed back to good health.”

She is specialising in paediatrics in her course and hopes to undertake additional studies in neonatal nursing. “After working as a registered nurse for a few years, my goal is to complete my midwifery training and work as both in Broken Hill.”

The David Bowler Memorial Award, sponsored by the Far West Local Health District and Broken Hill City Council, is an annual grant that commemorates the name and work of the late Dr Bowler, who was a highly-respected paediatrician at Broken Hill Health Service.

The Award is a $5,000 lump sum payment to a student pursuing a course in a health-related discipline at a recognised tertiary institution. It is designed to provide financial support to a local student by helping pay for the costs associated with that study.

Indiana said she was very excited to be this year’s successful application for the scholarship. “It’s a big relief and will take a lot of financial pressure off.” Indiana said the scholarship will help with the costs to complete 8 weeks of clinical placement in Adelaide, which the university stipulated she had to attend.

Indiana said she was extremely grateful to the family of the late Dr David Bowler, the Far West Local Health District and BH City Council for making the scholarship possible.

Broken Hill Health Service General Manager, Mr Ken Barnett, congratulated Indiana on winning this year’s scholarship.

“On behalf of the health service, we wish Indiana well in her studies. It is pleasing to hear that her career goals include expanding on her skills base to work in both paediatrics and midwifery at Broken Hill Hospital.”

Broken Hill Mayor Darriea Turley also congratulated Indiana on winning the scholarship.

“It’s great to see this award going to a young woman who cares so much about our youngest patients, and is driven to use her talents to improve outcomes for children in the region,” said Mayor Turley.

“I have no doubt Indiana will excel in her studies and will go on to make a substantial contribution to the region’s future by providing specialist care for our future generations.

“On behalf of Council and the community I would like to congratulate Indiana on winning the scholarship, and wish her every success with her studies,” said Mayor Turley.