PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant launched for its second year
22 March 2024
“Creating spaces of belonging is a critical component for reconciliation in this country. Grant opportunities such as this allow us to hold this space for others to come into.”
Faye McMillan
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to launch the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant for the second consecutive year, with support from Care Pharmaceuticals and Hydralyte.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander pharmacists and interns are invited to apply for the Conference Grant, named after Wiradjuri yinaa (woman) and trailblazing pharmacist Professor Faye McMillan AM FPS.
Professor Faye McMillan is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to hold a western degree in pharmacy in this country. She is a 2023/24 Harkness Fellow and a founding member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, and has received numerous accolades for her leadership and contribution to population health, education, equity and the community. These include PSA Pharmacist of the Year (2022), NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year (2019), and recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health care and tertiary education.
Faye is a strong advocate for improving Indigenous health care across professions and is driven to help promote the participation and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within pharmacy.
PSA Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris says that the Grant is just one way that PSA is promoting pathways for First Nations pharmacists.
“While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise 3.8% of Australia’s total population, the current proportion of registered pharmacists who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is much lower at just 0.3%.
“As part of our commitment to supporting and helping increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in pharmacy, this grant opportunity looks to supporting the existing pharmacist workforce who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“PSA continues to proudly support Australia’s First Nations pharmacists, and foster new pathways for the First Nations pharmacists of the future,” Adj. A/Prof Morris says.
Care Pharmaceuticals and Hydralyte Marketing Manager Joan Isaac says that support for First Nations pharmacists is key.
“Care Pharmaceuticals and Hydralyte are excited to partner with PSA for the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant. Recognising the significance of inclusivity, we acknowledge the ongoing need to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in pharmacy.
“We hope this grant opportunity represents a genuine commitment to support the existing pharmacist workforce who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Expressions of interest for the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant are open now. Visit https://www.psa24.com.au/grants for more information.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
