'It was an absolute honour to receive the bursary. It has made such a difference to my studies and the process of moving away from home.'
– Sarah Downes, Bachelor of Nursing student and scholarship recipient
Growing up across rural Queensland, Sarah Downes always knew she wanted to make a difference in the communities that shaped her.
Receiving the 2025 Felicity Purcell Nursing Bursary has helped make her dream of studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) possible.
“It was an absolute honour to receive the bursary. It has made such a difference to my studies and the process of moving away from home,” she said.
The bursary has eased financial pressure, reduced stress and given Sarah the freedom to fully focus on her learning.
“The support has helped me prioritise my studies while maintaining a healthy work-life balance,” she said.
Inspired by the care her family has received over the years, Sarah hopes to return to rural areas to improve access to high-quality healthcare after graduation.
“My studies this year have reinforced the health inequity these areas face, and I aspire to be part of improving that,” she said.
“As I’ve seen in my own personal experiences, the burden of disease is much higher in rural than urban areas, in large part due to less access to healthcare.”
“By nursing in rural areas, I hope to improve the quality of life for these communities.”
Meeting the bursary donors earlier this year was a special moment and is a constant reminder of the lasting legacy of Felicity Purcell.
“It was amazing to be able to thank them personally for their generosity and to let them know what a difference it has made,” she said.
“Her life is a continual source of inspiration to me in my studies.”
With aspirations to volunteer overseas and pursue career paths in midwifery or advanced practice, Sarah is excited for what lies ahead.
“I’m looking forward to exploring all that nursing has to offer. Above all though, I hope to simply make a positive impact on people’s lives and communities,” she said.
