18 April 2018: Occupational therapy student Kinza Newman and physiotherapy student Alyssa Hughes are the 2018 winners of the Gabby Robberds Scholarship, which includes funding of $1,500 and a practical placement with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA).
Every year, the memory of Gabby Robberds is honoured in the form of a scholarship offered by the University of Canberra and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
The family of Ms Robberds, who battled cerebral palsy before passing away in 2010, established the award to support the work of physiotherapists.
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Margaret Reid AO, patron of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, with Gabby Robberds Scholarship recipients Kinza Newman, right, and Alyssa Hughes. Image: Tara Corcoran
For Kinza Newman, helping the less fortunate was instilled in her from an early age, leading her to become a paramedic.
Ms Newman’s desire to improve lives only intensified when she entered the health care industry, prompting her to retrain as an occupational therapist at the University of Canberra.
“Hearing about occupational therapy and how you can improve someone’s whole life and the way they live, rather than just an acute episode, sounded very exciting,” she said.
Flash forward a few years and Ms Newman is in her final year of her occupational therapy degree, and two weeks into her placement with CPA.
“It’s been really good. I’m loving it. It’s a great team and I get to learn about all of the different disciplines,” she said.
“When I graduate I would really like to work for CPA and do what they are doing – work with children with disabilities”.
When asked about the scholarship funding and her plans, Ms Newman said she already has it mapped out.
“I’m planning to do a three-day working with paediatrics course, so I can hopefully start working with children when I graduate,” she said.
“I’m also doing a sign language course because I think that will be really useful.”
Alyssa Hughes was also young when she developed an interest in working in health.
“I had a few injuries growing up and I had very positive experiences with physio,” Ms Hughes said.
“I just thought it was an interesting area. Since starting my degree it’s been amazing to see how many different areas physios can work in.”
Ms Hughes will begin her placement with CPA later this year and is looking forward to a positive and rewarding experience.
“I think it will be a great team environment, working with occupational therapists and exercise physiologists and social workers,” she said.
“I expect the whole team will really give me a different perspective on other areas that physios can work, and just making a positive difference in children’s lives.”
Nathalie Maconachie, from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, spoke highly of the scholarship program.
“For us it’s a very personal opportunity to talk to young therapy students about the difference they can make to the lives of children with cerebral palsy,” Ms Maconachie said.
“It helps us to engage with students who are enthusiastic and eager and are at the start of their careers.”
Ms Maconachie also acknowledged the benefits for the award recipients, noting their progression over the course of their placement.
“You watch the growth of their confidence and their level of comfort in helping families and children with varying levels of disability. You see them gain satisfaction for making a personal difference.”
The scholarship ceremony, held on campus on 16 April, was attended by the University’s Program Director for Occupational Therapy, Stephen Isbel, and Head of Physiotherapy Jamie Gaida. Both academics spoke about the positive impact of the scholarship and the value it adds to students’ learning experiences.
“This opportunity gives our students a real good grounding in paediatric placements, particularly for cerebral palsy. The skills that they learn at CPA is integral to their professional development,” Dr Isbel said.
Dr Gaida added: “I think it’s a fantastic tribute that the family have set up on behalf of their daughter Gabby. For our students it ignites the passion that they have for cerebral palsy.”
Associate Professor Nick Ball, Head of Health Sciences at the University of Canberra, said the scholarship was the perfect example of practical opportunities for students that have real-world impact.
“Having programs like this that enables students to really contribute to the community and society in any way shape or form I think is just a fantastic opportunity,” Dr Ball said.
“The University of Canberra prides itself on connecting with the community.”
