Five local people have been awarded scholarships from the Vic Davis Memorial Trust, supporting their 2019 study in the field of mental health. Jesse Wood, who was born and raised in Whakatane, received the scholarship to support him as he studies for his Master’s in forensic psychology, on his pathway to becoming a qualified clinical psychologist.
“This funding is an amazing thing to be awarded and I am very grateful to receive this scholarship. As a result of this funding, I will be able to work full-time academically, and not need to work in a part-time job,” he said.
Another scholarship recipient, Noema Arnold, was also born and raised in Whakatane. She is currently nursing in Tauranga, in the Mental Health service, primarily with young adults. Her 2019 study is for her first year of her Master of Nursing, specialising in Mental Health, through the University of Auckland, which she says has been “a dream of mine because, As a young Maori nurse, I recognise the importance of addressing the rising mental health issues within Aotearoa specifically for our youth and young adults within the Eastern Bay of Plenty.”
Kimberley McClure has lived and worked in the Eastern Bay of Plenty since 1997 and is a specialist social worker in the Child Development Service at Whakatane Hospital. The Vic Davis Trust is pleased to support Kimberley’s 2019 study for the Post graduate Certificate in Health Sciences in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders through the University of Otago. Once she has completed this training Kimberley is interested in establishing a project that addresses early intervention and support for pregnant women who have substance misuse problems.
Melissa Adam’s family is from Galatea and, following a career in the police force, she has been studying for her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology through University of Auckland. “Many of the young people that I worked with in youth offending had terrible stories of neglect and abuse,” she says. “I hope that my research will contribute considerable improvements in dealing with sex offenders with the overall aim of increased protection and safety.”
Jan Hudson works as a counsellor/psychotherapist in Whakatane and has also worked as a palliative care nurse for Hospice. She has lived in Whakatane since 1979 where, with her late husband, she raised her children. Jan’s scholarship is to support her Level Two study through the Centre for Self-Leadership (USA) for the Internal Family Systems Psychotherapy programme, a cutting-edge psychotherapy approach which is widely used internationally. “I believe that IFS therapy meets a need in the Eastern Bay of Plenty which benefits clients in a unique way. I am very grateful to be able to develop my skills to enable clients to heal and live well.”
Other recipients of funds for the 2019 year were Rebekah Doherty, from Gisborne, Taylor-Jane Cox who is studying at the University of Canterbury, and Professor Julia Rucklidge, also of the University of Canterbury. The key purpose of the Vic Davis Memorial Trust is to support individuals and organisations, in the Bay and across the country, in their study and research in the field of mental health. “Vic was somewhat ahead of his time in his concern that study and research into mental health issues be supported and his legacy provides an excellent opportunity for people studying in that field,” said Trust chairperson Jude Wilson.
Applications are considered once, annually, with applications closing on the 31st July each year. Full details of the application process, the criteria and the application forms are available on the Trust website: www.vicdavistrust.co.nz .
Applications will only be accepted on the application forms provided on the website and all queries with regard to the criteria or process should be emailed to: administrator@vicdavistrust.co.nz