La Trobe Rural Health School is proud to congratulate Vanessa Nicholson, a second-year nursing student at the Albury-Wodonga campus, who was recently awarded the prestigious West Wodonga Rotary Nursing Prize.
Established many years ago in memory of Kerry Faul, a respected local nurse-midwife tragically killed in a vehicle collision while returning from a shift at Wodonga Hospital, the prize honours commitment, compassion, and excellence in nursing. It is awarded annually following a competitive essay submission and interview process.
This year’s award was presented during the Rotary Club of West Wodonga’s annual leadership changeover event, a major occasion in the club’s calendar attended by senior Rotarians and community leaders. Vanessa delivered a heartfelt speech on the night, which was met with deep appreciation and praise. According to Matt Burke, Secretary of West Wodonga Rotary, Vanessa’s address was “the best I’ve heard in 25 years of the prize.”
Vanessa expressed her gratitude and commitment to the values of the nursing profession:
“I’m deeply honoured and humbled to receive the Nursing Prize in memory of Kerry Faul. I extend my sincere thanks to the Wodonga West Rotary Club for their generous sponsorship and ongoing support of nursing students.
This award inspires me to continue striving for excellence and to uphold the values of empathy, respect, and dedication that are so essential to our profession.
I’m also incredibly grateful to my lecturers, mentors, and peers at La Trobe University’s Albury-Wodonga campus. It’s been a privilege to be part of such a supportive and passionate learning community. The encouragement and shared commitment to caring for others have been fundamental in shaping the nurse I am becoming.”
Vanessa’s recognition reflects not only her academic and personal excellence but also the strength of La Trobe’s nursing program and its strong connection to the local health community.
We extend our congratulations to Vanessa on this well-deserved honour and thank the Rotary Club of West Wodonga for their continued support of the next generation of nurses.