The Robbie Mitchell Award
The scholarship provides up to 50% of the fees to undertake either a Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master’s Degree in Adolescent Health.
The scholarship is named in loving memory of Robbie Mitchell, son of a Rotarian. It was an initiative of Robbie’s family, friends and fellow Rotarians.
The Rotary Club has awarded eleven Robbie Mitchell Awards since 2012, and the Rotary Club of Brighton North has now provided a total of twenty-nine since 1996.
The Centre for Adolescent Health (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne) runs the Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing.
Course participants share their experiences below.
“Studying the Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing is assisting me to broaden my skills and knowledge to effectively support young people. The subject content is very engaging and the lecturers are super helpful and knowledgeable. The opportunity to interact with other students from around the world and from varying professions brings a whole other level of learning and is a highlight of the course.”
Debbie Russell: Teacher
“The Graduate Diploma of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing – Oncology stream has given me some incredible insight into young people facing cancer, a world that I knew existed but have not yet worked in. The lecturers are supportive and demonstrate outstanding knowledge in the field. This course is further enhancing my academic skill while preparing me to develop a stronger understanding of young people with cancer where I feel I can make a real difference.”
Paul Fry: Youth Worker
“In my 36 years of policing I have seen the devastating effects of youth suicide among families and our community. As a senior crime scene examiner, I attended many needless deaths when a young person felt ashamed or unable to reach out for help. In my current role at the Box Hill Sex Offences and Child abuse Investigation Team, I see first hand the ever increasing numbers of people who still feel unable to reach out for help, particularly young people.
While the influences of suicide are complex, I hope that by completing the Graduate Diploma of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing at Melbourne University will equip me with a deeper understanding of the issues, some of which fall outside traditional policing responsibilities.
I have been very grateful to receive assistance and support from the Brighton North Rotary Club as part of the Robbie Mitchell scholarship and I have found that the content of the course particularly beneficial to me in my current role. I have also gained valuable contacts not only from within Melbourne University, but also other students who posses a huge variety of experience in other significant areas of adolescent health.
I look forward to having a positive impact on this critical area of adolescent health and I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to Brighton North Rotary Club for their ongoing assistance.”
Grant Keighley
Tactical Intelligence Operative
