Beth Cuthbertson Scholarship

Ready to Apply?

Applications for ANMC scholarships open from 1 July to 31 August each year.

Applicants must be current members of the ANMC before submitting an application.

Scholarships are available for both coursework and research pathways depending on the type of postgraduate study being undertaken.

Beth Cuthbertson Scholarship

Scholarship Value

$10,000

About the Scholarship

Sister Mary Elizabeth Cuthbertson was one of the sixty-five Australian nurses evacuated on the SS Vyner Brooke, which was sunk by Japanese planes off Bangka Island.

There was no word of Beth (the name she was always called) until two years later when her father received a telegram from the Army Nursing Service that she was missing, believe drowned.

It was not until September 1945 that Beth’s family was notified that she was dead. Sister Vivian Bullwinkel told how Beth had survived the bombing of their ship and had swum ashore to Radji Beach, Bangka Island. Beth was then massacred alongside twenty-one other nurses who were marched back into the sea and gunned down by the Japanese soldiers.

Beth Cuthbertson’s family is proud to sponsor this scholarship for a student undertaking postgraduate nursing studies at a recognised Australian university, preferably working in regional or rural Australia.

The Beth Cuthbertson Scholarship is valued at $10,000

Eligibility Criteria

  1. You must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
  2. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  3. You must be a member of the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre.
  4. Your current or proposed course of study must be at a postgraduate level.
  5. Your current or proposed course of study must be related to contemporary
    professional practice in nursing or midwifery.
  6. You must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to professional practice through two
    or more of the following means:
    • Hold membership of a professional nursing association or special-interest
      group.
    • Contribute to the ongoing development of the team in which you work.
    • Be actively involved in innovation in professional practice.
    • Show recent involvement in research, e.g. through conference presentation/s.
    • Demonstrate a significant degree of community service.
  7. You must complete all sections of the scholarship application form.
  8. Preference will be given to applicants practising in a regional or rural area.
  9. Study must be undertaken in the scholarship year 2026.

FAQ

Answers to common questions about eligibility, applications, and scholarships.

How do I know if I have familial links with the Australian Defence Force?

Check if any relatives served. Obtain full name, date of birth, place of birth, arm of the ADF they served in Army, Navy or Air Force. Explore online resource Australian War Memorial for further information and provide evidence of relationship.

Do I have to be a member of ANMC to apply?

Yes, the ANMC requires all scholarships applicants to become members. Membership forms are to be completed and forwarded to the ANMC.

How soon will I know the outcome of my application?

Applications are assessed by mid-October; interviews are normally held early November. All applicants are notified of the outcome of their application at the end of November.

What is the selection process?

All applications are treated as confidential.
Each application is assessed and scored by two members of the Scholarship Committee. Applications are ranked, and the highest ranked applicants are invited to an interview.

How are the interviews conducted?

All interviews will be conducted virtually in November.

If I am awarded a scholarship, do I need to pay tax?

You are advised to seek professional financial advice in relation to your personal tax situation.

What are the scholarship requirements?

Recipients must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by July and December, and acknowledge support from the ANMC and the named scholarship when presenting at conferences and in media reports and publications related to their studies/research.

Is there an official award ceremony?

Yes, a ceremony is held at ANMC on the first Thursday of March; successful applicants are expected to attend.