Posted 19 October 2023
The SVI Support Group has been raising funds for SVI since 1989 – more than half the Institute’s lifetime. Over those years, the Group has played an important role in nurturing more than 100 of SVI’s brightest young students.
The SVI Support Group dinner is held annually to raise funds for our PhD Top Up Scholarship program. The scholarships allow our emerging scientists to focus fully on their studies and career development, without having to find additional ways to cover the cost of living.
The most recent dinner, held at the Kooyong Tennis Club in October last year contributed towards more than $130,000 raised for the program in 2023. This will support SVI’s PhD students to find new treatments for conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, and inherited diseases.
The success of the program is thanks to the hard work of the SVI Support Group, which has been led by the unstoppable Claire O’Callaghan OAM since its inception. At the dinner, past Top Up Scholarship award recipient, Professor David Ascher, announced that the Institute has established an Award named in her honour – the Claire O’Callaghan Top Up Scholarship.
“SVI’s student body have been lifted up by Claire’s dedication and enthusiasm. Thank you, Claire, so much for making a difference in the lives of so many students,” said David.
Thank you to our wonderful Support Group Committee:
Claire O’Callaghan OAM (Chair) Margaret Batrouney
Pam Batrouney Colleen Bolton
Robyn Brasher Bernadette Dennis OAM
Angela Griss Jo Lonergan
Genny Nunan Colleen Papaluca
Margaret Reeves