The awarding of the packages will be one of the first projects during the term of new trust fund chairperson Michelle Hensel.

The mother of cricketer Braedon Hensel, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with a rare cancer, has succeeded Border Express manager Grant Luff in the role.

The scholarships will be available to existing cancer centre nurses and will allow them to do Masters study.

Mrs Hensel anticipates they will be awarded by the end of the month to a yet to be determined number of recipients.

Another innovation is the appointment of advocates in towns across the cancer centre’s catchment to co-ordinate fundraising in the various communities. 

Mr Luff will remain on the committee to assist Mrs Hensel, with Wodonga councillor John Watson recently joining the group.