Scholarships created in honour of brave SA nurse Kirsty Boden, tragically killed while helping others in the horrific 2017 London Bridge terror attacks, are providing timely financial support to help two Riverland Nursing students complete their degrees at Flinders University.
Third-year Nursing students Katelyn Hayes and Cheyenne Hogan will each receive $10,000 as recipients of the 2026 Kirsty Boden Memorial Nursing Scholarships, supported by the SA Health, Nursing and Midwifery Office.
The goal of the scholarship - awarded each year to two rural students studying the Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration) at Flinders University - is to ensure a secure learning pathway for rural nursing students, and serves as a fitting memorial for Loxton-born Kirsty Boden, who was tragically killed while trying to render assistance to victims of the 2017 London Bridge terror attacks.
Professor Tracy Humphrey, Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College of Health and Enablement at Flinders University, says the Kirsty Boden Memorial Nursing Scholarship is a fitting legacy for a Flinders graduate that the University is especially proud of.
"She was a wonderful South Australian, and this scholarship will enable future generations of South Australians to become the health professionals of tomorrow, contributing to their communities in ways that would make Kirsty and her family proud."
SA Health Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Associate Professor Rochelle Griffin agrees. "Through the Kirsty Boden Scholarships, we are honouring a remarkable legacy by directly investing in final-year regional nursing students, strengthening local workforces and caring for communities now and into the future," she says.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Blair Boyer MP, says long-term support for the scholarships is providing important results.
"The Malinauskas Labor Government is proud to support these scholarships, which will help six more final-year Nursing students from regional South Australia complete their studies over the next three years through a $60,000 investment from the Nursing and Midwifery Office," says Minister Boyer.
"Not only is this initiative helping to retain Nursing students and in turn boost the workforce in SA, it is a way of honouring the incredible service and legacy of South Australian nurse Kirsty Boden and her heroic efforts to help other victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack in 2017."
Scholarship recipient Katelyn Hayes, currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration) at Flinders University, grew up in Berri in South Australia's Riverland, and wants to qualify as a nurse so she can give back to rural communities.
"I chose nursing to support people during times when they are most vulnerable," says Katelyn.
"One of the biggest challenges I've faced during my studies has been undertaking clinical placements and learning new, unfamiliar skills in real healthcare settings. It can be confronting putting theory into practice for the first time, but over time it has helped me become more confident and comfortable in clinical environments."
She credits the Kirsty Boden Scholarship as being incredibly valuable for easing the financial pressure of travel and accommodation during her nursing placements.
"This support has reduced my stress and enabled me to fully concentrate on my studies and placements. It has also been encouraging to feel supported while I'm working towards becoming a nurse in rural areas, to give back to communities similar to where I grew up."
Cheyenne Hogan, a mother of two young children, grew up in Loxton in South Australia's Riverland, where she developed a strong sense of community and resilience that continues to shape her personal and professional journey.
Now in her third year of Bachelor of Nursing studies at Flinders, she is working towards building a meaningful and stable future for herself and her children.
"My children have been my biggest inspiration," says Cheyenne. "My son and daughter have strengthened my desire to pursue a career where I can care for others and make a meaningful difference. I want to support people during vulnerable times in their lives while also creating a secure and fulfilling future for my family.
She says that balancing her study commitments while raising children has been a great challenge, but the scholarship has helped cover her study and living costs, especially when she had to forfeit paid work to do nursing placements.
"This support has allowed me to stay focused on my education and complete my placements without added financial strain. These contributions have made a real difference in my life and my children's lives, helping me continue working towards becoming a nurse."
"I want to be a compassionate, knowledgeable and capable nurse who provides high-quality, patient-centred care - and contribute positively to my workplace and community."
