From Melbourne to the Northern Territory: Grace Van Veenendaal awarded the Elgin Prize

Grace Van Veenendaal has received the prestigious Elgin Prize as the top student in the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology). The achievement, the result of years of hard work and personal discovery, has culminated in a move to bring her clinical expertise to the Northern Territory.

After completing her undergraduate studies and honours at the University of Melbourne, Grace recalls that it was “a relief to be accepted into the Master’s program and be motivated to work hard in my studies because I loved what I was learning, not just because I needed good grades to get into subsequent degrees.” She was drawn to the high calibre of staff and their research and particularly valued the opportunity to complete her thesis at the University’s affiliate youth mental health service, Orygen. Having previously worked there as a research assistant, the project allowed her to explore two of her interests: eating disorders and personality disorders in young people.

A pivotal moment came when Grace had the opportunity to complete a 3-month placement working for the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress in Alice Springs. This experience opened her eyes to the critical need for mental health support in remote and regional communities, particularly in addressing the rising rates of disordered eating among young people. Motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an area of significant need, Grace made the decision to move to the Northern Territory to begin her clinical career.

“With rates of disordered eating increasing across Australia, I look forward to continuing to upskill in this area of practice to best support the recovery of those people struggling.” Grace explains, she adds, “Australia needs more psychologists willing and able to work in regional/remote communities and I hope to continue to develop my skills in order to deliver culturally informed care to First Nations Australians.”

In addition to research and placement opportunities, Grace also valued the collaborative nature of the program. “The companionship shared among my fellow students from the many hours spent learning alongside one another was another real highlight for me,” she says. She especially appreciated the weekly case conferences, which provided space to reflect on clinical challenges with peers.  She describes them as “an invaluable tool for my development as a psychologist.”

Looking ahead, Grace remains open to further academic pursuits, “I also haven’t ruled out completing a PhD in eating disorders, but wanted to first work clinically for a few years in order to find a specific project I feel passionate about,” she explains.

The Elgin Prize  represents more than academic success for Grace. “This award represents the culmination of a lot of hard work throughout my psychology studies,” she reflects, “To be awarded a prize for learning about something I have enjoyed so immensely feels like such a privilege. Winning the Elgin Prize has affirmed for me the decision to shift my learning approach away from striving for perfection and instead focusing on maintaining curiosity and engaging fully with the content.”

As Grace begins her career in the Northern Territory, she is well positioned to make a meaningful impact, delivering much needed mental health care to regional communities. Her story highlights the value of combining a pursuit of academic excellence with curiosity and a commitment to social impact.