Fellowships

Jeannie Ferris, Cancer Australia Churchill Fellowship in Gynaecological Cancers

An opportunity exists for Australian women who have been diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, their family members and carers, and health professionals and researchers working in the area of gynaecological cancers, to undertake a Churchill Fellowship aimed at reducing the impact of gynaecological cancers on those affected.

This fellowship is named in honour of the late Jeannie Ferris, former Senator for South Australia, who was passionately committed to advancing health issues affecting women. 

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2005, Jeannie Ferris was instrumental in establishing and participating on the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee which produced the October 2006 Senate Committee Report: Breaking the silence: a national voice for gynaecological cancers.

This report was instrumental in the establishment of the National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers in 2007, to improve outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancers, their families and carers, and to lessen the impact of cancer on their lives. Jeannie Ferris died in April 2007 at the age of 66.

Cancer Australia is committed to sponsoring one annual fellowship. Applications for this fellowship are assessed by The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and must meet the following criteria:

1. Applications are sought from:

• consumers including: women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer; or a family member or carer who has been directly involved in supporting a woman with a gynaecological cancer
• health professionals or researchers working in the area of gynaecological cancers. 

2. Where the successful applicant is a health professional or researcher, and not a consumer, they will be expected to involve consumers in the development of the project, including proposed implementation activities.

3. Applicants will have to demonstrate how they intend to disseminate and promote the outcomes of the project to benefit women in the broader community affected by gynaecological cancers and to assist in reducing the impact of gynaecological cancers on those affected.  

Applications open: 1 November 2011

Applications close: 29 February 2012

For more information visit The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust website