The Helga Pettitt FHS Postgraduate Study Away was established in 1989 in honour of Mrs Helga Pettitt. While her children were growing up, she enrolled as a mature age student at Cumberland Campus and completed a Diploma in Community Health (ADCHN), in 1979. She returned to Cumberland after the amalgamation with Sydney University, completing a Grad.Dip.Appl.Sc in 1991.

In 1980, Mrs Pettitt, Dr. Phyllis Watson, AM and A/Prof Elaine Cornell formed the Faculty of Health Sciences Graduates Association, of which Mrs Pettitt has been the President for the last 25 years.

Applications are now open for The Helga Pettitt FHS Postgraduate Study Award for 2012. The Health Sciences Alumni Association awards $1,500 annually to support an alumni student enrolled in any course of postgraduate study at the Faculty of Health Sciences.