Goulburn Valley Health welcomed Peter and Chris Copulos to the newly redeveloped emergency department to unveil the Peter Copulos & Family Scholarships board this week.
Ten GV Health nurses have received a postgraduate nursing and midwifery scholarship, sponsored by the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation, since 2021.
The scholarship funds one year of postgraduate study in emergency nursing to encourage local nurses to expand their skills, and work and study locally.
Peter said the donation was a gesture of appreciation for the support the community had given him over the years.
“I’ve been living in Shepparton for the last 75 years,” he said.
“The community has helped me a lot with all my businesses, and I’m at a stage now that I’d like to give back.”
GV Health Foundation and Engagement director Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the scholarship encouraged local nurses to provide specialist patient care.
“Without donors in a community like this, the gap in our health services becomes larger, so we are grateful for generous donations made by the Peter and Maria Copulos Family Foundation,” she said.
“With this scholarship, we can expect people to aspire to study further education, which in turn means our patients get greater care.”
Business advisor John Evans said Peter understood and appreciated the importance of donating to the Greater Shepparton community.
“Mr Copulos’ focus is on regional areas, like Shepparton, and being able to attract and retain great staff and keep them in the area,” he said.
“So to that extent, these scholarships can help encourage nurses to train and stay [locally].”
The postgraduate nursing and midwifery scholarships are some of the many generous donations made to GV Health by the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation.
“The foundation and GV Health are eternally grateful to people like Peter who take charge and recognise they have a place in the community and want to give back to the community,” Ms Ewart-Kennedy said.