Dr Roger Sinclair Wurm Scholarship

DR ROGER WURM SCHOLARSHIP

Dr Roger Sinclair Wurm was an eminent Adelaide Gynaecologist and Obstetrician who died suddenly in his Adelaide home on 28th February 1987, aged 63 years. During his life he tirelessly promoted the education and welfare of nurses. His early death was mourned by both Medical and Nursing communities.

Dr. Wurm was the President of the Royal British Nurses’ Association (SA Branch) in an involvement of over 20 years. RBNA was founded on the 14th August 1900 and incorporated on the 10th February 1950. Dr. Wurm was the first President of the Nurses’ Memorial Centre of SA Incorporated (NMC) when the RBNA Inc. changed its name to the NMC on 3rd June 1973. He was also its first Patron.

Between 1967 and 1976 a Ways and Means Committee of members of the RBNA, the Florence Nightingale Committee, the Returned Sisters sub-branch of the R.S.L., the College of Nursing Australia and the Royal Australian Nursing Federation (SA Branch) representing all training hospitals, undertook various fund raising enterprises so that nurses could build their centre on land which they had acquired at 18 Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town.

This was a time when women were not recognised as competent business people and Dr. Wurm filled the breach by working tirelessly negotiating for the Nurses with Governments and financial institutions procuring more land for car parks and loans to complete the building. His negotiation skills were put to the test many times in those first years.

The Foundation Stone for the Centre building was laid on 19th December 1973 by two former Matrons of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Miss R.Z. Huppatz MBE FNM FCNA and Miss K.S. Scrymgour OBE FCNA. Miss Huppatz had also been a Consul with the RBNA. The building was opened by the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Donald Dunston on 16th September 1974.

In 1987 the association changed its name to Nurses Memorial Foundation of SA Incorporated to encapsulate its role in providing educational and welfare support to nurses. At its meeting on 5th May 1987 the Management Committee decided to establish a scholarship in memory of Dr. Wurm. The following is extracted from the document establishing the Scholarship –

“That a scholarship be set up to be known as the Dr. Roger Wurm Scholarship. That the recipient be a direct carer at the bedside. That such a scholarship be determined in a manner that directly relates to improving standards of nursing care at the bedside.

The object of the fund is to provide assistance to trained nurses interested in the delivery of hands on care practices with a view to improving the standard of nursing care at the bedside”.

Scholarships have been offered annually since 1988 to trained (registered and enrolled) nurses. Scholarships are now available to registered midwives and to student nurses in all 3 arms of nursing, i.e. students studying to become registered nurses, registered midwives or enrolled nurses. Travelling allowances, accommodation costs, fees for conferences are granted.

The plight of students living in rural areas is of grave concern to the Foundation.

Scholarships are offered annually. Applications for the scholarships close on the 30th April.  Late applications are not accepted.

Successful applicants will be notified of the next steps. 

When applying for a Scholarship please ensure that you complete all parts of the form.

To apply for the Dr. Roger Wurm Scholarship, please download the official PDF forms below, or see below for full text of the application:

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THE NURSES’ MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA LIMITED

THE DR. ROGER WURM SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

(Please refer to attachment for eligibility)

Applicant: (title) ……………………………………..……………

(Surname) ……………………………………..……………………

(Given names) ……………………………………..………………

CONTACT DETAILS: (Postal address, telephone, email)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

COUNTRY OF BIRTH …………………………………….

AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT

PROVIDE EVIDENCE

LANGUAGES SPOKEN…………………………………………………

QUALIFICATIONS (If a Graduate – Diplomas, Degrees, Practicing Certificates) – copies to be attached

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT …………………………………………………

NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT DETAILS OF TWO REFEREES

1. ………..………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………

COSTS ANTICIPATED: Itemise in an attachment.

TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: $ ……………………………

PLEASE ATTACH:

• A synopsis of reasons for requesting a scholarship – no more than one page

• Copy of Registration, endorsement, enrolment as a student / practitioner

• Evidence of enrolment or registration n an educational program details

• Study plan, conference program, academic transcripts

• Copy of receipts (if relevant)

• Copy of recent photograph – passport size is satisfactory

• Any other relevant information – specify

THE ASSESSING COMMITTEE –

may contact you to clarify and part(s) of your application and will automatically reject the application of any data requested is not provided.

COPIES:

Please provide original and 2 complete copies of your application.

Reporting:

Successful applicants are required to submit a written report at the completion of their Scholarship and before final payment is made.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Any publication relevant to this Scholarship must acknowledge the Nurses’ Memorial Foundation of South Australia Limited.

DECLARATION:

“I DECLARE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT.

I ACCEPT THAT MY APPLICATION MAY BE UNSUCCESSFUL AND RESPECT THE DECISION OF THE FOUNDATION AS BEING FINAL”.

SIGNED…………………………………………… DATED…………………………………………

REMINDER: CLOSING DATE: ANNUALLY ON APRIL 30TH

PLEASE FORWARD YOUR APPLICATION TO:

THE SECRETARY,

NURSES’ MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Post Office Box 476 DC, Kent Town, SA 5071

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For any further queries, please contact the Nurses Memorial Foundation of South Australia, Post Office Box 476 DC, Kent Town, SA 5071 for a copy.