Generous community donations totalling $1.25 million to the Peel Health Foundation will be donated to Curtin University to help fund student scholarships, develop a Mandurah health hub for youth with mental health issues and build the Peel Regional Clinical School.
Under an agreement initiated and signed by Peel Health Foundation Limited and Curtin University, $1 million will be put into the Peel Health Foundation Endowment Fund with the interest used to fund up to eight individual student scholarships of $6,000 each year from 2018 to 2020.
From 2020, that funding will be used for the construction of the Peel Regional Clinical School, which will host clinical placements for Curtin’s medical, nursing and allied health students, subject to the appropriate approvals from the relevant agencies.
Another $250,000 will help develop the Mandurah-based Peel Health Hub, an initiative of GP Down South, which will aim to provide support for young people dealing with mental health issues.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry thanked the Peel Health Foundation and the community of Peel for their generosity.
“We would like to thank the Peel Health Foundation for this generous donation, which will make a real difference to the health services available to the Peel community and opportunities available for Peel students seeking access to a university education,” Professor Terry said.
“The Peel Region Student Scholarship will be open to students who have shown a demonstrated commitment to the Peel region and are enrolled in a Curtin University medical or health-related undergraduate or post-graduate degree.
“These scholarships will help support Peel students through their university studies by funding educational costs.”
Peel Health Foundation Board Chair Ann Fletcher said the donation could not have been made possible without the support of the Peel community.
“We would really like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful community of the Peel for donating so generously to allow this important investment in the region’s health and support services, as well as opportunities for local students,” Ms Fletcher said.
“Everyone involved at Peel Health Foundation, including current and former Directors, have been committed to leaving a substantial legacy in health for the people of the Peel region.”
The feasibility study for the development of the Peel Regional Clinical School was partially funded by the Peel Health Foundation and the Peel Development Commission through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.
