Legacy empowers the next generation of scholars

Kathleen Mary Kehoe was an inspirational woman, with a visionary way of thinking, who wanted to create a better future for others and leave the world a better place.

She not only inspired those around her during her lifetime, but she continues to inspire the wider community through the gift she left in her Will to the University of Melbourne.

Regarded by many as the heart of their community, Kathleen lived her life guided by a deep sense of service and compassion for others.

_{Mrs Mary Kehoe (left), Kathleen Mary Kehoe (middle) and family in South Melbourne in 1953.}

Kathleen studied general nursing then midwifery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Fitzroy in the 1950s–1960s, specialising in intensive care and infant welfare.

She was passionate about the professional care of mothers and babies and believed in the power of education to improve the lives of working people and to enhance our communities and society.

In her Will, Kathleen directed her gift to “support high achieving students in financial need to undertake their studies or continue to undertake their studies.”

Pioneering support

Kathleen’s is the first bequest in support of the University’s Narrm Scholarship Program.

The Program is the biggest commitment the University has ever made to levelling the playing field for bright and motivated students experiencing circumstances that challenge their ability to enrol and succeed at the University of Melbourne.

With thanks to Kathleen’s visionary gift and passion for health sciences, 14 Bachelor of Biomedicine students are now the proud and grateful recipients of the Kathleen Mary Kehoe Scholarship.

One recipient of the scholarship, Laura, said the support meant she could join a variety of clubs while achieving First Class Honours in all of her first-year biomedicine subjects.

“Pursuing my goal of studying medicine and moving to college has always been a deep harboured dream of mine, however coming from a low socioeconomic background and rural area, it had seemed unattainable,” shared Laura.

“Receiving the scholarship greatly assisted me in achieving this dream and has meant that I have not had to work as much as I otherwise would have, empowering me to fully embrace the opportunities presented to me.”

Another recipient, Abhi, said the support not only helped him achieve better grades but also instilled confidence in him.

“Knowing that there are people who believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my future is incredibly encouraging. It makes me want to work even harder, not just to achieve my own dreams, but also to honour their generosity and trust.”

Professor Nicola Phillips, Provost at the University of Melbourne, commended Kathleen’s foresight to support financially disadvantaged students with her gift.

“Choosing to give through the University as a gift in Will is an inspiring commitment,” said Professor Phillips.

“We are incredibly grateful for such generosity, which demonstrates a visionary commitment to what has had meaningful impact in your lifetime and creating a personal legacy with the potential to impact generations to come.”

Home-grown values

Coming from a big family, Kathleen’s strong sense of justice and love for family was instilled in her from a very early age.

Her mother, Mary, was an early graduate from the University of Melbourne who was passionate about education and service to others. Mary founded the first Meals on Wheels program in Australia and was awarded a British Empire Medal.

A young Kathleen was enlisted to help deliver meals to disadvantaged families, and this opened her eyes to the poverty and hardships people faced after the Great Depression and World War II, especially children. This shaped her desire to choose a career that would help others.

In a 2011 edition of Connections – Royal College of Nursing, Australia, Kathleen said “I’d seen all that poverty growing up. I was just conscious that a child exists in a group of people and, in those days, if the family wasn’t coping with the children or illness your neighbours would help you.”

After three years of highly demanding training as a teenager at the Preliminary Training School at St Vincent’s Hospital, Kathleen became a registered nurse in 1957 and a registered midwife in 1958.

Seeking a new challenge, she then spent the following two years working as a midwife on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Returning to Melbourne in 1960, Kathleen later joined the first hospital intensive care course in Australia, at St Vincent’s.

Kathleen’s trailblazing career saw many achievements – driven by her sense of adventure and her desire to give back – including working as a maternal and child health nurse at City of Melbourne for government housing, obtaining a scholarship to the College of Nursing, Australia to complete a Diploma in Public Health Nursing, and establishing a community health centre.

Like her mother before her, Kathleen was regarded as a trailblazer and force of nature, and was a great inspiration to her nieces and nephews.

A leader in child and maternity health, Kathleen was a trained nurse for 58 years and worked tirelessly to give back to the women and children in her local community in the City of Port Phillip.

Enduring inspiration

Kathleen’s niece, Mary Kehoe, recalls walking down the street with her in Albert Park, and being regularly stopped by the locals.

“She was a bit of a rock star with the mothers and the children who were growing up,” said Mary. “She was also an inspiration to many of the young social workers coming up.”

Mary also described the pride the family feels about their aunt Kathleen’s commitment to support the Narrm Scholarship Program through a gift in her Will.

“We’re very chuffed by it. We’re so pleased that she did it. It’s very much in her nature to think of the disadvantaged first. She learnt that from her mother, who was very community-minded.”

_{Kathleen Mary Kehoe at work in 2002.}