Indigenous Health Scholarship Program

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.

I am Sophie L’Estrange   I am a Kalkadoon, Wiradjuri woman. I grew up on Wiradjuri Country in Condobolin and Forbes and completed my undergrad (B. Oral Health) in Wagga Wagga.  I come from a farming and working family. Since finishing my undergrad, I have moved throughout rural and remote NSW, QLD and NT. I have worked in the dental field in urban and remote NT Indigenous communities, fished and camped at the tip of Queensland and worked on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Channel Country of SWQLD.

My name is Talia Cooke, I am a proud Gunnai Kurnai and Gunditjmara woman born and raised in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria. Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Coming from a blue-collar family with no healthcare workers has proved this adventure to be unpredictable at best. I am extremely proud to say I am entering my fourth year of Medicine at Monash University and have enjoyed every step of the journey.

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 Alison Hammond, a final year Oral Health Therapy student and proud Gunaikurnai woman. I was lucky enough to grow up in the East Gippsland region in regional Victoria, and live most of my life there, including completing my high school education and working in the area for many years. After over 3 years working as a dental assistant, I decided I was ready to upskill in the dental field and become an Oral Health Therapist. This involved quitting my job and leaving my family to make the move to Bendigo to attend La Trobe University.

My name is Ashton Embry. I was born in Busselton, WA on Wardandi Noongar Boodja.  I grew up by the ocean and lived in a supportive environment that encouraged me to pursue my aspirations and always advocate for what I believe is right.

My name is Louise and I’m a proud Arrernte woman in my final year of the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine degree at Monash University. I’m passionate about Indigenous health and addressing the ongoing health inequities faced by our communities.

During my studies, I have been actively involved in Indigenous health advocacy through leadership roles within Monash University’s Indigenous and rural health committee, WILDFIRE, first as the Indigenous Representative for two years, before becoming the Indigenous Chair for another two years.