A medical scholarship named in Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer’s honour has topped $100,000 following further investment from the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.

The Trust Fund allocated an extra $32,000 towards the scholarship program which offers cancer centre staff the opportunity to complete a Master of Cancer Sciences degree, valued at $27,000.

Board member, Bryan Blake, said the investment reflected a commitment to the ongoing development of staff and of care provided at the cancer centre.

“It’s important for our staff to be able to develop their skills in the rapidly evolving fields of cancer care and cancer research,” he said.

“This two-year course is delivered online by the University of Melbourne so staff can continue to work whilst they study, and will ensure we build on high quality cancer care, closer to home, for our patients.”

The scholarship is named in honour of the Honourable Tim Fischer AC, who lost his battle with myeloid leukaemia in 2019.

The Trust Fund received $24,000 in funeral donations and $40,000 from his estate, while a historic train ride organised by Mr Fischer, in partnership with Lachlan Valley Railway, raised a further $8000, earmarked for the scholarship program.

Albury Wodonga Health dietitian, Amanda Kiss, was named as the first recipient of the scholarship earlier this year.

Anyone wishing to contribute towards the program can contact the Trust Fund on (02) 6064 1538 or email [email protected]