Anchor Excellence, with the support of Eileen Kramer, and endorsed by the Australian College of Nursing, has named the recipients of the AnchorAcademy New Graduate and New to Industry Program, along with the Eileen Kramer Scholarships.

Nurses Jessica Kenner from Queensland-based NewDirection Care, Bindiya Magerjan from Gummun Place Hostel in Merriwa, NSW, and Zoe Bouwmeester from Mayfield Aged Care, Newcastle, NSW, were awarded the Eileen Kramer Scholarships, valued at more than $12,000 each, on International Nurses Day.

 “I congratulate the nurses and look forward to meeting them all,” said Ms Kramer, a 106-year-old Australian dancer, artist, performer, and choreographer who gave evidence to the Aged Care Royal Commission. “What a wonderful opportunity to develop their career and make a positive difference to many people in their care and with whom they work.”

Anchor Excellence, aged care leadership consultants, launched the scholarships in April and were inundated with applications.

Carla Beheram, Anchor Excellence’s Chief Operating Officer, sees the program she and Dr Irene Stein have developed as a vital education pathway in an industry that is undergoing major reform.

“Whilst the challenges right now are intense and seemingly unrelenting, there has never been a better time to be in aged care. New leaders and influencers have the opportunity to shape the future of Aged Care and set a new benchmark on how we treat, respect and value older Australians,” she said.