Colin Riley Scholarship

Apply now | Colin Riley Scholarship

Colin Riley devoted his professional life to public oral health. That’s why DHSV is recognising his legacy by supporting public oral health professionals with the Colin Riley Scholarship.

About the scholarship

This is a fantastic opportunity for oral health professionals who possess an adventurous spirit. Not only will you enjoy a unique clinical experience in a remote location, but you will also get to learn from your Solomon Island colleagues and the local community.

As part of the Colin Riley Scholarship, three decommissioned dental vans have been donated to Vanuatu, Tonga and the Solomon Islands in the names of Colin’s three beloved daughters: Ella, Nicola and Fiona. The scholarship was established to provide 5 years’ support and the mobile dental trucks will provide help where it is needed most.

The scholarship facilitates Victorian public oral health staff to participate in a study tour in the South Pacific. There will also be a rotation to bring clinicians from the island communities to Victoria. In its inaugural year, the capacity-building scholarship program will sponsor two oral health professionals to travel to the Solomon Islands for two weeks to improve oral health outcomes for the local communities.

The recipients will provide oral health support for the community, engaging in clinical dentistry with local dentists in an island community and in the donated dental vans. The participants will also support the community through health promotion and oral health education.

What the scholarship involves

You will be required to deliver a short presentation to the dental services during your time in the Solomon Islands. When you return, you will provide a short report and presentation to the DHSV Executive team.

We will send an experienced dentist and an experienced Oral Health Educator (preferably with a sound knowledge of infection control).

The Colin Riley Scholarship will cover the costs of the recipient’s travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses.

Key eligibility criteria

You are invited to apply for the Colin Riley Scholarship if you:

• are a dentist or an oral health educator working full-time or part-time in public oral health for more than the last 12 months and are committed to continue your work in the public oral health sector
• consider yourself experienced and clinically competent
• have the support and endorsement of your manager
• have experience or curiosity working and/or living in another culture
• in good health, reasonably fit and have a sense of adventure
• consider yourself resilient, adaptive, and culturally sensitive.

Frequently asked questions

Should I speak to my manager about my application for the Colin Riley Scholarship?

Absolutely! Staff are required to discuss their application with their manager before applying, as your manager will need to provide a brief written endorsement for your application.

We encourage applications from across the public oral health sector! This is your opportunity to invest in your future and prioritise your professional development. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

How are the travel and associated costs covered?

Costs can be covered in two ways:

1. DHSV will arrange flights, visas, registration (dentist only) and accommodation
2. Or you will be able to submit a reimbursement form for in-country transport, food and living expenses and other sundry costs.

More detailed information on covering training costs will be provided to successful applicants.

What else do I need to know?

The Solomon Islands is a developing nation so it’s important to remember that you will be travelling to and living in a rural community where there is no cash economy.

The rural communities are geographically isolated and there will be little access to the internet and mobile connectivity. If you’ve been craving a digital detox, this trip will be right up your alley!

Participants will:

• fly from Melbourne to Brisbane
• fly from Brisbane to Honiara, the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands
• fly in a small plane from Honiara to Santa Ana Island
• then take a boat from Santa Ana Island to Torah.

In the second week of the trip, participants will travel by boat from Torah to Kirakira, the provincial capital. The first leg of the return flights will leave from Kirakira.

Applications are encouraged from people who are in good health and have a reasonable level of fitness, as you will be in a remote location with daily hiking required.

How to apply for the Colin Riley Scholarship

Applications are now open to full-time or part-time dentists or Oral Health Educators (Cert 4 qualified in Health Promotion) working in public dentistry in Victoria.

You can apply for the Colin Riley Scholarship by completing this form.

The questions contained in the form help us to understand the benefit of this learning opportunity, how it will be applied to your current and future roles and how it supports your career and professional aspirations.

Applications for this exciting scholarship close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 March.

What happens once I apply?

All applications will be reviewed by Martin Hall (Chief Oral Health Officer) and the scholarship panel. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the panel to chat about your experience and reasons for applying.

Application timeline

Please note: The tour to the Solomon Islands will take a total of three weeks and will take place between Sunday 30 April – Friday 19 May.

Have questions or need more info?

If you have any questions about the Colin Riley Scholarship or the application process, please email us at mylearning@dhsv.org.au