Scholarships

Every scholarship transforms the lives of our students, making a real difference to their education, and to the diverse communities of which they are a part. Our scholarships make it possible for important and exciting projects to happen. Communities in countries from Nigeria to Romania, from Turkey to  Hungary, Afghanistan to Cambodia, Columbia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have all benefitted by the generosity of the people behind the scholarships. Lives have been changed, counselling centres established, societal problems have been addressed and innovative research undertaken as a result of the scholarships.

John Waters Memorial Scholarship

The John Waters Memorial Scholarship commemorates a man of great generosity and humanity. His death brought much sadness to many people. Mrs Gwen Waters has joined with Cairnmillar to provide a scholarship to a psychologist or psychotherapist from another country, for advanced training at Cairnmillar. The Scholarship provides funding to cover the costs of one year’s advanced training at Cairnmillar, and is one of the highest-funded awards for a psychologist. Such a concept is a fitting memorial to John Waters, whose care and concern quietly reached across many boundaries.

Michael Kirby Scholarship

 The Michael Kirby Scholarship honours the valued contribution and support of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, one-time judge of the High Court of Australia, and formerly the Chief Patron of Cairnmillar for more than ten years. In addition he supported the work of The Australian Foundation for Aftermath Reactions. He is recognised world-wide for his contribution to human rights, learning and scholarship, and to many of the critical concerns of the 21st century. In 1988 he unveiled the Bi-Centennial windows in St Michael’s Uniting Church. The Scholarship is awarded to a person from an overseas country, who has been actively involved in the psychological health and well-being of traumatized individuals and communities in his/her country of origin.

The Peter Doherty Prize

Nobel Laurent Professor Peter Doherty AC was for six years The Chief Patron of Cairnmillar. To honour his distinguished contribution to the organisation, The Institute established the Doherty prize to the most outstanding student in the Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy program.

Ida Summers Child Trauma Award

For several years, Ida Summers, in the twilight years of her life has regularly put aside money from her pension and forwarded it to Cairnmillar to be used to help “little folk” who have been abused and traumatised in the earliest years of their life. The award recognises a person who has made a major contribution to the lives of many children.