New South Wales

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.

I am a proud Gomeroi, Dunghutti and Biripi woman from Moree, NSW, studying a Bachelor of Nursing at University of Southern Queensland. I have a strong passion for Aboriginal women’s health and wellbeing, and strive to make a positive contribution to the lives of Aboriginal peoples in rural and remote communities.

My name is Kaleisha Cowan Roberts, I am a proud Yuin and Bundjalung woman, who was fortunate enough to be born on Country in a small town called Nowra. I am a current 5th year medical student with less than 16 months left in my journey into medicine. I spent my whole childhood and teenage years living on Country, I was raised in Community and learnt the core values of my Cultural Identity from a very young age.

My name is Nicholas Tedim. I am a proud Gamilaraay man from Walgett, NSW, studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University. My ambition to pursue paramedical studies previously originates from my time spent working in emergency service as a retained firefighter with Fire & Rescue NSW, I have a deep admiration for community service and the healthcare of First Nations peoples within rural and remote communities in which I intend to work upon graduation.

I am a proud Gulidjan woman who grew up in Griffith, NSW. I am currently attending Western Sydney University studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine. In 2017, at the age of 12 I founded a charity called Bambigi that funds First Nations kids swimming lessons in the Griffith region. Over the past 6 years, I have raised enough money to pay for over 300 First Nations kids swimming lessons.

My people are Galari clan, on Wiradjuri Country. I grew up in Condobolin, NSW, and my father, a white stockman/shearer has a small hobby farm on the Garli Bila (the Lachlan River), my mother is a TAFE teacher of Aboriginal Studies. I have two brothers; I am the middle child and grew up very typically for any other country kid, playing netball, pony club, and cricket. It is through growing up in a small rural town that I witnessed first-hand the unjust realities of what it is like to grow up in the bush.

I am a proud Aboriginal man with my ancestors originating on Ngengi Wumirri land on the Daly River in the Northern Territory. I was lucky enough to grow up in Darwin where we’d spend most of our weekends goose shooting the swamps or up the Daly river chasing that big meter barramundi. I competed in many sports such as AFL, touch, rugby union, rugby league and athletics. This is where my love for sport began. With this love for sport I began studying sports and exercise science at JCU in Townsville. Mid-course I transferred to USC on the sunshine coast where I completed the degree.

My name is Melissa Kelly, a proud Bundjalung woman from Lismore with connections to Aniwan, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr. Currently in my second year studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) at Charles Sturt University.

I am an Aboriginal Mental Health Trainee working between the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the Aboriginal Specialist Wellbeing Service on Dunghutti country. I am passionate about mental health and supporting Aboriginal people along their journey.

My name is Steven Cable and I am a proud Noongar Man with connection to Narrogin in Western Australia. Growing up I always envisioned myself working in healthcare to connect to local communities and be able to make a difference to as many lives as possible. I started my healthcare journey as a Physiotherapist working at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in New South Wales for four years and was able to meet some amazing people. After this I decided to begin the process of starting a career in Medicine. I am currently in my second year studying at the University of Sydney and looking forward to working in regional and rural settings when I am qualified.

My name is Laura Cauchi, and I am a proud mother to three young boys, a Registered Nurse and dedicated Medical student who has a passion for helping others. Growing up I was blessed enough to be raised in Western Sydney where I was emersed in both the Aboriginal and Maori culture which has given me an ongoing appreciation and respect to the connection family has in the provision of holistic healthcare.