Indigenous Health Scholarship Program

I am a proud Wiradjuri women born and bred on Awabakal/Worimi land Newcastle NSW. My journey into health started young starting at 15 when I got my first job with NSW Health, working at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital as a student based trainee in admin. I spent a couple of years there before moving into a mental health traineeship as an Aboriginal Mental Health Professional trainee with Yimamulinbinkaan Aboriginal Mental Health Service, where I’ve been learning and growing ever since.

My name is Tiana James, and I am a proud Darkinjung woman. I completed a Bachelor of Clinical Sciences straight after finishing school through the CDU program, which provided me with direct entry into the Flinders NT Medical Program. I am now in my second year of medicine at Flinders University, working towards a career in rural and remote medicine.

For six years, my family and I travelled across Australia, spending time in remote communities and experiencing first-hand the challenges of healthcare access in these areas.

I am a proud trawlwoolway palawa man from North East lutruwita (Tasmania); tebrakunna country, but grew up on Wurundjeri Marin-Balluk country in the North Western suburbs of Narrm (Melbourne). I am also proud to identify with my Italian and Slavic heritage. I am currently in my third year of medicine at Monash University completing my first year of clinical placements.

I am a Tubba-gah woman, who are the traditional owners of the land surrounds of the area now known as Dubbo, NSW. I was born and raised on the land of the Muluridji people and currently live and practice on the lands of Bindal people.

I am a qualified optometrist and work in private practice in Ayr while running after my children.

I am a proud Yamatji woman, my mother’s country is in Western Australia near Carnavon (Gascoyne Region). I was born and raised in Mackay, have travelled to FNQ, and lived in remote communities as a child and worked as an enrolled nurse. I started my nursing journey as a student midwife, after losing my brother by suicide I decided to do my enrolled nursing to have a better understanding of mental health.

My name is Jayde Couzens, I am a proud Noongar and Gunditjmara woman. I live with my 6-year-old son, Allakai and my partner who is a stay-at-home father, who is now trying to seek employment. I am living on Yorta-Yorta country in Katunga, while working at Goulburn Valley Health and studying at Latrobe Shepparton.

I am a full-time Bachelor of Social work student, studying online and in my third year of my degree. I am a dedicated student and highly committed to my studies. I am a proud Wiradyuri Wambuul Yinaa (Macquarie River Woman) and a strong advocate for culturally compatible and decolonised practice when working with First Nations Peoples. For the past three years, I have been residing and working in remote/rural First Nations communities within Central Queensland.

I am a proud Whadjuk Noongar and Yindjibarndi woman and am currently in my 2nd year of Medical School at Monash university. Outside of my studies I am a part of an initiative to help increase university attendance for students from underrepresented backgrounds. As well I try to involve pilates, yoga and pottery into my weekly schedule if time allowing.

I am a proud Gurindji and Noongar woman and a mother of four wonderful children. Born and raised in Darwin, I am currently in my second year of the Northern Territory Medical Program at Flinders NT. My Indigenous heritage, culture, and identity have always been a driving force in my life, shaping how I approach challenges and my commitment to making a difference.

I had my first child at 17 and, despite achieving good grades, was unable to complete Year 12.

I am an Ugarem-le man with ties to Ugar island in the Torres straits and a final-year medical student studying at Monash University Melbourne. My journey into medicine has been shaped by personal experiences navigating the healthcare system alongside close relatives facing both chronic and acute illnesses. Witnessing these challenges first hand has driven my passion for improving healthcare access and outcomes for First Nations people.