Special material bought for scholarship provider
UTAS Medical student Elisabeth Banham was awarded a scholarship last year donated by Dr June Olley, AM, which funded her medical elective trip to Tuvalu (a very remote pacific nation) where she worked in the hospital.
As a thank you gift to Dr Olley - who is an Honorary Research Professor in the UTAS School of Agricultural Science - Elisabeth brought her back a lava-lava.
“A lava-lava which is a piece of material they traditionally use for a skirt on Tuvalu,” Elisabeth said.
Dr Olley was “so thrilled” to receive Elisabeth’s gift that she had it made into a dress to wear to Elisabeth’s graduation ceremony this week.
“I have another friend who used to work with me and she is marvellous- she made it into a dress for me with very little trouble.
“I think it’s absolutely lovely. It’s a bit startling,” Dr Olley said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive it.”
Dr Olley’s assessment of her scholarship’s recipient Elisabeth is just as glowing.
“I would say she is absolutely brilliant.”
For information on UTAS scholarships, visit the Scholarships website.
Photo: Elisabeth on her graduation day with Dr Olley, who is wearing her “lovely” and “startling” lava-lava dress.