Image caption: From left, former Latrobe City Trust Trustee David Langmore, Lorraine Bartling OAM, after whom the scholarship is named, Lorraine Bartling OAM Scholarship recipient Sarah Birch, Latrobe City Councillor Graeme Middlemiss and former Latrobe City Trust Chair Diane Wilkinson.
A Churchill nurse has received a scholarship from the Latrobe City Trust to assist with the cost of her studies.
Sarah Birch is the recipient of the Lorraine Bartling OAM Scholarship in Nursing and or Social Work.
The scholarship provides a one off grant of $500 to help with the further development of the recipient’s skills or qualifications.
“I am very proud to have been awarded this scholarship. It has further inspired me to pursue my career and follow in the footsteps of Lorraine who has made a huge impact on our community,” Sarah said.
Sarah’s desire to help others was inspired by her parents’ work as police officers and community volunteers, supporting people in need through Apex and the elderly at risk register.
She initially studied welfare and worked as a support worker for people with disabilities and youth unable to live with their families due to abuse.
The nursing staff Sarah encountered while having children at Latrobe Regional Hospital at Traralgon inspired her to become a registered nurse.
She is now studying a Bachelor of Nursing degree at Federation University at Churchill, where she is achieving academically and has undertaken placements at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and Central Gippsland Health Service.
“My future aspirations are to combine all roles working with youth, elderly and people with disabilities,” she said.
“I want to be an advocate to make our community a more informed and safer place for our most vulnerable people.”
The scholarship was established to commemorate the life and work of Lorraine, and her contribution to Latrobe City. She began her working life as a nurse in the 1950s and in the 1960s, moved into the welfare sector.
In 1968 Lorraine started working at the former Traralgon Shire Council as a welfare worker, where she remained until 1983. Lorraine’s work at Council later led to her involvement in the construction of the Yallambee Aged Care Facility in Traralgon.
In 1987 Lorraine was elected onto Council, serving as mayor for Traralgon and also with the amalgamated Latrobe Shire Council.
Sarah was awarded the scholarship in June but due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was not able to be presented until recently.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson congratulated Sarah on receiving the scholarship.
“The Latrobe City Trust is administered by Latrobe City Council. The Trust is proud to support Sarah in pursuing her profession and thanks her for serving the community as a nurse,” Cr Gibson said.
The Latrobe City Trust raises funds and encourages local philanthropy to support people and communities across the municipality through the distribution of grants.
The trust supports activities that promote sport, recreation, education, the environment and the arts across Latrobe City. To learn more, go to: https://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/latrobecitytrust