In the Media
University of Canberra nursing students awarded inaugural scholarship inspired by the care and compassion of Canberra nurses
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Emma Larouche
28 October 2024: Two second-year Bachelor of Nursing students at the University of Canberra have been awarded the inaugural Audrey Thew Scholarship, in recognition of their high performance and to support them during clinical placements.
The scholarship is the result of a generous, ongoing donation by Peter Thew, a Canberran whose late mother, Audrey commented favourably on the hard work and kindness of nurses she encountered over her lifetime.
“After mum passed away nearly two years ago, once her estate was settled, I ensured that I was financially comfortable in my retirement, but I also wanted to do something beneficial to the community and came up with the idea of establishing a scholarship,” Mr Thew said.
“Mum was always chatting with her sister Moya and her friends about the care she received during hospital visits, speaking very fondly of the nurses.
“Recalling those remarks made me want to put some of the money she left behind towards support for nursing students – and I think it would make her feel very proud.”
Mr Thew was supported through the process of establishing the scholarship by Craig Phillips, Senior Financial Advisor at Phillips Wealth Partners. Mr Phillips’ business partner Luisa Capezio encouraged them to connect with staff from the University's Faculty of Health, with whom she had previously met through her expertise in aged care financial advice. This enabled a smooth process for the creation of the scholarship, which will have a lasting impact on nursing students and the broader community.
“The scholarship has been set up so it can be awarded to students for at least the next ten years and can continue in perpetuity,” Mr Phillips said.
“I’m thrilled with the outcome as I believe it’s worthwhile investment to support the students during their studies and see them go into successful careers in healthcare,” Mr Thew said.
The inaugural recipients are Alyssa Fitzgerald and Mandy Wells, who will each receive $5,000. Both students are required to undergo three more clinical placements during their final year of study.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” Ms Wells said.
“The scholarship means that I can experience another rural placement, which is what I really want to do, and the extra financial support will help cover the cost of spending time away from home.”
“Receiving the scholarship is a huge help and will enable me to do more with my placement,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Even things like paying for parking every day really adds up, so the extra support means a lot.”
The selection process also deemed Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Wells to be strong students and future leaders. Alongside the financial benefits, they have achieved recognition for their commitment to an intense learning journey which involves lab-based learning and theoretical study, as well as Work Integrated Learning in the field with other nurses and health professionals.
“It is an absolute delight to see two of our high achieving Bachelor of Nursing students be recognised for their academic excellence,” said Professor Jenny Weller Newton, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
“We’re extremely appreciative of the Thew family’s generosity in supporting the funding of these scholarships in memory of their mother.
“I hope that these scholarships not only support Mandy and Alyssa for the remainder of their studies, but also inspire other students in doing well with their studies.”
The students had the opportunity to meet with Mr Thew and Mr Phillips, during which they learnt of the special connection the donor had to their chosen profession.
“It’s so wonderful to hear that the nurses who cared for Mr Thew’s mother left a lasting impression and that their kindness and compassion makes us the beneficiaries of much-needed financial support,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Hearing the story makes the scholarship even more meaningful and will drive us to carry it forward,” Ms Wells said.
“Hopefully Alyssa and I can do the same thing by providing exceptional care to individuals who may consider passing support onto another student down the line.”
Learn more about how to donate to the University here.
Men in Business: Canberra Weekly
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Caring beyond numbers with a personal drive for aged care financial advice solutions
With a career in financial services dating back to the late 1980s, Craig’s journey took a personal turn when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, motivating him to specialise in aged care and retirement planning. Now the Principal and Senior Adviser at Phillips Wealth Partners, he helps families navigate the complexities of aged care with expertise and empathy.
Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are?
I’ve worked in Financial Services since the late 1980s and have been in advisory roles since 2004. Around 2014, I began specialising in financial planning for aged care and retirement living. The catalyst was a conversation with my brother about our parents, who were in their early 70s and needed additional care. Our father, showing signs of cognitive decline, was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. With little idea at the time about what aged care was, it motivated me to learn more about it. From a personal perspective when caring for Dad, I wanted to understand aged care better, and from a professional perspective, I needed a greater understanding of the technical intricacies surrounding aged care for my advice clients.
Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.
I am the Principal and Senior Adviser at Phillips Wealth Partners, a Canberra-based financial planning firm focused on helping clients navigate care options, from home support to retirement villages and residential aged care. After being a finalist twice, I won the 2023 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Award, and Phillips Wealth Partners was also a finalist for the 2023 Aged Care Advice Program of the Year.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
We understand that entering aged care, or even planning for a move, can be very stressful. Being able to reduce stress and provide a sensible roadmap in a timely manner, resulting in families having one less thing to worry about, is very satisfying, along with the gratitude from clients.
Can you share some of your favourite leadership or business resources/influences that have had a significant impact on your career?
The support I received early in my career from management to advance my knowledge and confidence was key, which led to my personal experience with my father living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. From a business perspective, I would say Louise Biti, co-founder and Director of Aged Care Steps has been pivotal. Louise and her amazing team have always had our back and shared so much of their knowledge and continue to do so for which I am grateful.
What advice do you have for those looking to advance their careers?
Look for possible mentors inside or outside your employer. Consider joining industry bodies or associations connected to your area of work/profession. Attend networking events, both formal and informal, and stay in touch with people you meet. Keep learning, stay aware of where your industry is heading, and invest in yourself.
When you’re not at work, where can we find you?
If the weather is good, I ride on Canberra’s bike tracks, particularly around Mt Majura or the old highway toward Lake George, with my small but fun peloton.