An article from Doug Robertson, Rotary Central Melbourne
The silk-Miller Scholarship is Rotary Central Melbourne's longest running program, instigated in 1999 and named in memory of the two slain Police Officers, Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller. (Source: Facebook)
Acting Sergeant Ellani Little
The scholarship is awarded to a serving Victoria Police member who successfully applies to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. Fifty percent of the course fee is funded by Rotary and fifty percent by the Police member. This two-year course is conducted by the University of Melbourne, targeting professionals working with adolescents.
The 2026 scholarship continues to demonstrate the popularity of the program within Victoria Police members. After a competitive application and interview process, Acting Sergeant Ellani Little stationed at Caroline Springs, in the Pro-Active Policing Unit, has been awarded the 2026 Scholarship. The Club congratulates Ellani on her successful application and looks forward to welcoming her to a face to face meeting to formally award the Scholarship.
The Club became involved in 1999 when Rotary’s focus on health issues included the issues of youth suicide prevention and youth mental illness, noting the potential of a link with Victoria Police, as one of the relevant agencies involved in youth. Through better education and trained Youth Resource Officers and other police officers, it was expected to lead to better acceptance by Victoria Police generally of the need to understand how young people “tick” and how Victoria Police could develop better strategies in dealing with them.
The ability to continue this important program has been made possible this year with support of The Rotary Foundation, via a District 9800 Local Grant, which Rotary Central Melbourne was successful in applying for. The important support of The Rotary Foundation Grant provides the leverage needed to continue making a difference and enhance the impact of the project.