$4,000 scholarships for university physiotherapy students

Wednesday 14 June 2006

Three physiotherapy students at the University of Newcastle will tomorrow be awarded scholarships to help them with their studies.

Sarah Hallams and Andrea Oracki, both third year students in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, along with second year student Tara Smith, will each be presented with a $4,000 Lewis Ewart Lewis Scholarship.

Newcastle physiotherapist Lewis Ewart Lewis was a pioneer of private physiotherapy practice with an office on Hunter Street in the 1950s and 60s. After retiring in 1968, Lewis maintained an active interest in physiotherapy until his death in 2004, when the Lewis Ewart Lewis Physiotherapy Scholarship was established to help disadvantaged students at the University of Newcastle.

21-year-old Andrea Oracki, who also manages to find time to represent NSW and Australia in athletics, said she's found moving to Newcastle from Faulconbridge (in the Blue Mountains) very difficult at times, and the scholarship has given her confidence in her abilities as a physiotherapist.

"It's the boost I needed to finish my degree," she says. "There have been times when I felt that I wasn't doing very well, but I just continued to work hard and try my best. I have just finished my four week practical placement and I had a fantastic time. I know now that this is definitely the degree for me."

19-year-old Tara Smith, from Kurri Kurri, said the scholarship will help pay for her accommodation and other expenses when she begins practical placements away from home. "It's very difficult to attend University full time and also make enough money to cover the expenses of my degree. This scholarship will greatly ease the financial burden of textbooks and fees."

Sarah Hallams, a 21-year-old student from Weetangera in the ACT, said the scholarship will make a "huge difference".

"My savings are fairly depleted from rent and everyday living expenses. This means I have one less thing to worry about."

The Lewis Ewart Lewis Scholarships are open to domestic students who can demonstrate that they are financially disadvantaged and selection is on the basis of academic merit. The scholarships are funded by a $245,000 bequest from the Lewis estate.

The Lewis Ewart Lewis Scholarships will be presented on Thursday 15 June 2006 at 2pm in room HE08 (Hunter Building) at the University of Newcastle Callaghan campus.

Contact: Head of Physiotherapy, Associate Professor Darren Rivett, on 02 4921 7821 or students via Katie Porritt in Media and Public Relations on 02 4921 5120 or 0418 445 888.