Celebrating Community Support for Indigenous Health

The South Australian Sri Lankan Doctors Association Charity Gala Dinner 2024 was held on 10 August 2024 to raise funds for the Kathryn Browne-Yung Scholarship Fund.  This elegant evening gathered healthcare professionals, community leaders, and friends of the Fund to honour Dr Michael and Kathryn Yung’s shared vision of empowering Indigenous medical students.  With heartfelt presentations from Dr Alison Yung and Dr Subodh Ganu, guests were reminded of Kathryn’s passion for social justice and Michael’s dedication to paediatric care—together inspiring a new generation of Indigenous doctors.

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A Night of Shared Purpose

From the moment attendees arrived, there was a sense of camaraderie and optimism.  Dr Alison Yung spoke about Kathryn’s journey—from her early nursing work in England to her doctoral research at Flinders University—highlighting how Kathryn first imagined scholarships that would support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through their most vulnerable first year.  Dr Subodh Ganu added insight into Michael’s global paediatric work—whether in Kenya, the UK, or Adelaide—and emphasized how their combined legacy fuels the Fund’s mission to keep Indigenous health in Indigenous hands.

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Generosity in Action

Thanks to the generosity of every attendee, the Gala Dinner raised $5,000 for the Kathryn Browne-Yung Scholarship Fund.  This gift ensures that the 2025 scholar will receive vital support for living expenses, study materials, and anything else—helping remove barriers that too often force bright Indigenous students to pause or abandon their medical training.

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Looking Ahead Together

As the night concluded, members of the South Australian Sri Lankan Doctors Association reaffirmed their commitment to fostering Indigenous health leadership.  The funds raised at this event will go directly toward scholarships and mentoring programs that nurture future First Nations healthcare providers.  With each donation, we draw closer to a future where Indigenous communities lead their own health outcomes and young doctors thrive on country.

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