One of the most rewarding times of the year for St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland is awarding the annual Elizabeth Fraser Scholarships to our staff, helping them develop skills that directly improve patient and resident care.
The late Elizabeth Fraser’s vision and generosity made these scholarships possible. Her legacy lives on through the knowledge, leadership and compassion our staff bring back to their teams.
In her honour, these scholarships fund education and training that enrich the care experience across our hospitals and aged care services. Staff from all areas are encouraged to apply, with over 70 scholarships awarded in the past three years. This year, 23 staff from our private hospitals and aged care services have been recognised, from nurses and allied health professionals to food services and administration.
Here are some of their stories:
Tania Lumpkin. Living Support Manager, St Vincent’s Care Eltham
“With my scholarship, I’ll be leading dementia training for staff in our memory support unit, using a train-the-trainer model to share knowledge across the team. For me, it’s about giving staff the tools to better understand residents living with dementia and to meet them with kindness and respect. This training will reduce agitation, build calmer interactions, and create a safe, supportive environment where both residents and staff can thrive.”
Joshua Prideaux. Registered Nurse, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside
“Receiving this scholarship will significantly enhance my knowledge and experience in the perioperative environment. It supports my professional development while empowering me to provide a higher standard of care for my patients. I’m passionate about this field and eager to continue advancing my skills at St Vincent’s Hospital Northside.”
Kathryn Ingold. Speech Pathologist – Clinical Lead, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba.
“With this scholarship, I’ll be introducing an in-house Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) service in Toowoomba. This portable, bedside assessment is safer and more accessible than current options, especially for unwell or cognitively impaired patients. It will allow faster, repeatable, and more accurate diagnoses, reduce risks such as aspiration and malnutrition, and improve recovery. This support helps me take the final steps needed to launch the service, ensuring safer and more compassionate care for our patients.”
Daniel Hartshorn. Occupational Therapist, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane
“This leadership training will help me strengthen my communication, build trust, and develop the skills to lead and motivate others. My goal is to become a stronger leader, support my colleagues, and deliver the best outcomes for our patients. This opportunity is an important step in my journey to contribute more effectively as an Occupational Therapist and, in future, progress to a senior role where I can formally support colleagues and grow Occupational Therapist services at St Vincent’s.”
The latest equipment helps us deliver care every day, but education of staff ensures we can provide even better care tomorrow. With your support, we can continue funding scholarships in 2026, giving more of our dedicated staff the opportunity to grow and, in turn, improve the lives of our patients and residents.
