In marking National Close the Gap Day on 20 March 2025, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is reaffirming its commitment to increasing representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the pharmacy profession, announcing the opening of expressions of interest for the 2025 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant.
Now in its third year, the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant is awarded to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacists to attend PSA’s flagship national conference.
This year the grant opportunity has been extended to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students to support their attendance at Australia’s leading pharmacist education conference PSA25, taking place in Sydney from 1-3 August 2025.
PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim, said the grant is an important part of PSA’s commitment to growing and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ representation in pharmacy.
“We know that representation matters in healthcare,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identifying people represent 3.8% of our national population, but only 0.3% of our pharmacist workforce.
“The purpose of the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists, and for the first time pharmacy students too, to be part of the conversation, to engage in professional development, connect with peers, and contribute to shaping the future of our profession.
“Alongside the incredible Professor Faye McMillan, PSA is proud to once again welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists to PSA25 with the 2025 conference grant.”
Professor Faye McMillan AM FPS, a Wiradjuri yinaa (woman) originally from Trangie, NSW, is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to hold a western degree in pharmacy in this country.
“I am incredibly proud to once again have my name associated with the 2025 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant, and excited that this year the grant opportunity will be extended to pharmacy students,” Professor McMillan said.
“This initiative will enable them to grow their professional networks early in their careers, fostering a sense of belonging and community within the profession.
“By supporting this grant, we are not only promoting diversity and inclusion but also working towards a more equitable healthcare system,” Professor McMillan said.
Text by: PSA.
