APS members raise $30,000 for 2013 Indigenous student bursaries

For the past two years now, APS members have been given the opportunity at membership renewal time to donate to a fund that provides bursaries for Indigenous postgraduate psychology students in necessitous financial circumstances. Initially funds were raised from the Bendi Lango series of art exhibitions organised by former APS President Amanda Gordon. In 2011 this initiative was formalised as a fund for tax-deductible donations. APS member donations have exceeded $30,000 in both 2011 and 2012, providing strong endorsement for the Indigenous Education and Employment component of the APS Reconciliation Action Plan.

The establishment of the APS bursaries is one response to the need to boost the growth in the number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander psychologists to approach parity with population statistics (2.5% of the Australian population are Indigenous and the goal is for a similar representation within the psychology profession). The APS initiative aims to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists and facilitate their contribution to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities, as well as the wider community and the psychology profession. Over the 20 years to 2007 an average of only two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists were added to the profession per year, but that rate has now begun to accelerate, bringing the current total to approximately 80 registered Indigenous psychologists. Since 2006 the APS has assisted six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate psychology students facing financial hardship, and applications are now open for the 2013 bursaries.

The facility for APS members to donate online at anytime has recently been instigated and in 2013 this will extend to online donations being available to members of the public. To find out more about the Bendi Lango initiative, including previous bursary recipients and how to make an online donation, please go to www.psychology.org.au/bendilango/

Call for applications for 2013 bursaries

Applications are now open for the 2013 APS bursaries to support Indigenous postgraduate psychology students in difficult financial circumstances. The bursaries aim to alleviate some of the financial concerns Indigenous students may experience in seeking to complete a postgraduate professional degree in psychology.

A selection committee will recommend the recipient(s) to the APS Board on the basis of merit and demonstrated need, together with confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity, and proof of offer and acceptance, or enrolment, into an APAC-accredited professional psychology postgraduate program (Masters or Doctorate).

The closing date for all applications is Monday, 7 January 2013. Application details, including the application form, are available at www.psychology.org.au/bendilango/ or by emailing [email protected]