Media Release: 11 May 2009
ANF awards Biennial Scholarship on International Nurses Day
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) marks International Nurses Day (IND) 2009 by celebrating and supporting Australian nurses. IND is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth in 1820.
As part of IND celebrations the 2009 ANF Biennial Scholarship will be awarded to Fanou Burslem.
Fanou is a registered nurse who works in refugee health at the Refugee Primary Health Care Clinic in Launceston. She is a passionate advocate for the health and welfare of refugees in Australia and says that Refugee Health Care delivery brings her professional and personal satisfaction.
Fanou says refugees have their own cultural beliefs and practices relating to health and illness, which should be respected and acknowledged. She says Refugee Health should be delivered by health professionals who are able to demonstrate “cultural competence” within culturally competent health services.
Fanou will be awarded the scholarship to attend the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Conference in Durban, South Africa in June 2009; at which the ANF Federal Secretary, Ged Kearney will speak.
Ged Kearney said, “Fanou represents the incredible contribution and commitment all nurses make to their profession. Her contribution to the health care of refugees highlights the effectiveness and efficiency of nurses working in primary health care, and the diversity of the fields in which they work. Fanou is a worthy recipient of the scholarship and is known as a staunch advocate for her patients and colleagues.”
Ged said she is pleased to have such a strong Australian representative at the ICN Conference, adding that Australian nurses are well regarded internationally for the expertise and insight they bring to the profession.
Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary, 0419 576 590
Libby Muir, ANF Communications Officer 0413 834 979
The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.