I am a proud Kija woman from the East Kimberly. I was raised in Kununurra, a town situated on Miriuwung Gajerrong country, a town which I consider my home and the local people my family. I completed my primary education at the renamed, East Kimberly College and attended boarding school at Iona Presentation College, in Mosman Park. It was from this adjustment in location, that I truly understood how my culturally rich upbringing had influenced my perspective on social norms and idea of community.

Throughout my childhood my parents always stressed the importance of generosity, understanding and equality. For my dad, this was reflected in efforts to reduce unemployment in our town. Giving individuals an opportunity to display their inherent work ethic and become qualified in spite of poor literacy. My mum however, embodied these values differently. She sought to improve the health care received by those within the remote Indigenous communities of the East Kimberly. Her ability to empower most vulnerable in regard to their health, is something I wish to achieve. Allowing my people, the opportunity to understand the status of their health and to feel heard in their opinions However, whilst I complete my Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at Curtin University, my influence is limited to ensuring my family have the basic resources they need such a food and clothes.

I have always recognised myself to be a hard worker, which some may argue is due to a degree of stubbornness, however my driving force is not individual success. Instead, it is the potential that I could benefit the life of another Indigenous Australian. It is my desire to ensure the education I have been blessed with, is not limited to self-improvement but rather the bettering of my entire community.

Despite still only having basic medical knowledge, being surrounding by significant influences, has enabled me to be certain this is an area of work worth every sacrifice. I recognise my skills are limited to reading blood pressure and taking temperature, but I aim to one day channel my background into culturally competent medicine and aid others in doing the same. To one day be included in the movement for equal engagement when discussing health status and to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people within the health care system.

Since commencing medicine, my love for the profession has grown substantially, yet my knowledge of specialisation has not. Although the field of medicine I will work in is still vague, I do know that I want to practice in remote WA. I want to be able assist my people regardless of their tribe or traditions, for when one improves well all do.

I hope for medical practice to universally include culturally training in every student’s education. An ideal which I describe to be recognising the ways in which our people are similar but valuing the beauty in our differences.

Since my last semester update, I have spent most of my time completing placement at Royal Perth Hospital. We have had rotations that last between 2-4 weeks and include specialities such as Anaesthetics, Orthopaedics, Cardiology and Emergency medicine. I have most enjoyed the acute care rotations in addition to orthopaedics.   However, am still completely lost as to what direction I will go in after graduation and intern year. All I hope is that I will be a good doctor and will sort out what capacity that is in later.

I am currently on my GP rotation and have been placed at Derbarl Yerrigan, which is the metropolitan Aboriginal Medical Service. This placement involves me travelling to multiple different sites across Perth which include East Perth, Mirrabooka and Midland. It is safe to say I’m spending a lot of quality time with my car each day. It has been an interesting placement as each presentation is unique and not the usual GP scope. As a cherry on top, I’ve met some really wonderful people as well.

My end of year exams are in October and following this (fingers and toes cross this all goes well), I will have a pre-internship placement at the hospital I am to work at next year. Job applications came out in May with our offers being released in July. I received an offer from Royal Perth Hospital, which thankfully was my first preference. However, the prospect of working and having actual responsibilities is daunting so I try not to think of it.

In more exciting news, in two weeks we have our annual medicine ball. This is a highlight of the social year for our cohort. However, is currently more of a stressor in my life than I’d like to admit as finding a dress has proven challenging. Post exams we also have an award ceremony with our official graduation being early next year.

Aside from university work my year has consisted mainly of arranging travel post exams.  I have not been back home since January this year so my parents have flown down to visit when they can. They’ve had various conferences throughout the year in Perth which they’ve then been able to make a small holiday from. I’m not sure who is more excited for me to finish university, myself or them. I will return to Kununurra for a somewhat warm Christmas with my dad’s side of the family. I’m looking forward to being home over the break as I scheduled to start working in early January.

At the moment I’m not the most fun to be around, given the fast-approaching exams, but am very excited to be on the other side of it. I really appreciate all the support the Como Rotary has provided and hope you are doing exceptionally well!