RFDS Robin Miller Nursing Scholarship

Overview

The RFDS Robin Miller Nursing Scholarship has been established by the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania in partnership with the School of Nursing at the University of Tasmania and RFDS Central Operations, covering South Australia and much of the Northern Territory. The scholarship provides a senior nursing undergraduate with experience of living in remote Australia and working there with the RFDS. It will give insight into the advantages and difficulties of nursing practice in the Outback in general and among indigenous Australians in particular.

The scholarship is dedicated to the memory of the late Mrs Robin Miller-Dicks (1940–1975), the nurse, aviatrix and RFDS pilot who became widely known by Aboriginal Australians as the ‘Sugar-Bird Lady’ because of handing out many thousands of doses of sweetly flavoured polio oral vaccine.

Applicants should forward a copy of the referee's report to one referee.

Completed reports can be attached to the application form or emailed to Scholarships.Office@utas.edu.au.

Eligibility

• Available to a student enrolled full-time in the final year of the University's Bachelor of Nursing degree (H3O) at a Tasmanian campus and due to undertake the unit NUR359 during 2026.
• Applicants must be available to participate in the one-week placement during their NUR359 placement. This experience will account for 1 week of PEP (40 hours) out of the 6 weeks required for NUR359.
• Students will be allocated further PEP hours immediately upon their return to meet the remaining 200 PEP hours requirement of NUR359.
• The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of quality of application and the following criteria:
  • a credit grade average thus far in the course;
  • evidence of high level skills in professional communication and practice;
  • demonstrated interest in, and understanding of, contemporary rural health issues;
  • demonstrated intention to engage in rural health at some stage in the future;
  • ability and willingness to act as an ambassador promoting the RFDS and the University's nursing program.
• Previous RFDS experience is not required.
• The recipient must be available for the RFDS Scholarship Presentations held at the beginning of the year following their placement.
• To be eligible for this scholarship, your placement must take place in a location classified as MM 5, MM 6 or MM 7 under the Modified Monash Model (MMM). While the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) uses the term "rural and remote" to broadly describe areas outside Australia's major cities,  scholarship eligibility is limited to placements in MM 5 to MM 7 locations to ensure funding is directed to students undertaking placements in rural, remote and very remote communities, and where RFDS focuses service delivery. Click here for more information about the Modified Monash Model.

On-going Eligibility

• Remain enrolled in the final year of the Bachelor of Nursing

Amount

$700

Duration

The scholarship comprises one week flying and clinical work at a RFDS Base located on the mainland, that will give insight into the advantages and difficulties of nursing practice in the Outback; return flights from Tasmania; accommodation at or near the Host base; and $700 towards costs the student may incur during the scholarship placement in a rural or remote setting.

Opening Date

27 August 2026

Closing Date

February 2027

Apply

Apply online prior to closing date. Applications cannot be submitted after closing date. As applicants will be assessed on the quality of application, all questions should be answered in full. Please ensure care is taken with spelling and grammar.

Application status

OPEN