Professor Michael Kidd AM Scholarship

Professor Michael Kidd AM, Honorary Professor of Global Primary Care with the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, established this scholarship in perpetuity to support the retention and successful graduation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as health professionals. The scholarship shares Flinders University’s unwavering commitment to cultural inclusivity and the increased participation of First Nations peoples in higher education.

The 2017 Professor Michael Kidd AM Scholarship recipient, Kirra Larkins, admits she had some initial trepidations about some of the hands-on aspects of becoming a nurse but was inspired by her Auntie, one of Australia’s first Indigenous nurses. Since starting her degree Kirra says she “has not looked back” and shares her personal story here.

“I am from Adelaide. I am from the Mirning people, situated on the West Coast. Aboriginality comes from my father's side of the family. My Mum is a white Australian. What I want to achieve in the future is to be the absolute best nurse I can be. Closing the gap is also a concept which I hold close to me. I was sometimes subject to doubters due to my Aboriginality. I would love to use my degree to be able to influence other Aboriginal people. 

There has been many ups and downs with my degree, however, all have been learning experiences. Highlights have ranged from, receiving good grades, and using opportunities when on placement and living on campus at Flinders to optimise my learning. Challenges have ranged from satisfactory grades, self-doubt, home-sickness (moving away from family is a first for me), difficulty and manageability of my degree. 

Receiving this scholarship has enabled me to save money to use later on, such as when on placement in a rural hospital. This process can be quite expensive. The scholarship has also been able to make me feel a little more secure with living expenses.” 

Donate to the Professor Michael Kidd AM Scholarship today and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become health professionals.

100% of your tax-deductible donation will support Indigenous students studying health professions at Flinders University.

Tax exemption number for charitable donations: 65 542 596 200

Professor Michael Kidd AM Scholarship Recipient, Kirra Larkins pictured with her mother.