Erica Alvarez (née Wei) — Undergraduate Administration Officer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland

“It is with great pleasure that we announce Babette Verkuijl as the recipient of the Toc H Award for 2025. Babette, a third-year Bachelor of Nursing student from Townsville, has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement (GPA 5.45), exemplary compassion in patient care, and significant leadership through her community involvement — all key criteria for this award. The selection panel commended her extensive volunteer work, including her roles at Sony Camp supporting children with disabilities, her current service as a Compassionate Volunteer at The Wesley Hospital, and her contributions to Zonta Birthing Kit assemblies. Raised and educated in a rural community, Babette brings valuable insight into the challenges faced by regional and remote populations and is committed to improving access to equitable healthcare. As she shared in her statement, ‘Growing up in a regional area has given me a deep understanding of the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural and remote communities… These experiences have inspired my commitment to improving health outcomes and access to care for people living outside major cities.’

Babette’s strong academic performance, her empathy in working with patients and families, and her active leadership within both school and community initiatives exemplify the values of compassion, fairness, and service that the Toc H Award was created to honour. We are confident that she will continue to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of others, particularly in rural and remote areas, as she progresses in her career.

Thank you for your continued support in recognising and encouraging exceptional students like Babette Verkuijl.”

Erica Alvarez (née Wei)
Undergraduate Administration Officer · School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland