In 2018 Life Fellow Dr Mark Craig generously created a bursary to further the professional development of ACRRM staff. The donation was made in recognition of the work staff at the College undertake each day to support rural and remote doctors.

Staff members are invited to apply to undertake professional development activities including a cultural immersion experience, professional coaching, conference attendance or a skills course.

Executive assistant Juleen Schneider was announced as the 2019 Dr Mark Craig bursary winner at the Rural Medicine Australia conference last year. Since then, Juleen has completed a Certificate IV in HR through the Australian HR Institute. Juleen shares her experience:

The Cert IV in HR was a six-month course delivered by the Australian HR Institute, which I completed part-time.  I attended a workshop one day a month for six months and then completed a 3000 word assignment after each module.  The topics covered included Recruitment and Workplace Relations, Performance Management and Building and Developing Talent.  Our first workshop was face to face, but then COVID took over and workshops were held via Zoom.

As an Executive Assistant within the Office of the CEO, it is important to have a wide variety of skills, not only to support my CEO, but the College as a whole. Undertaking this course has enabled me to expand my knowledge and I feel I have gained the skills and knowledge to better support the College with HR related areas.  I am very grateful to Dr Craig who initiated the bursary program for College staff and appreciate the opportunity it has given me to expand my skills and support my College.