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.

Charlie Hazelton, a proud Wiradjuri Kalari Man, is a passionate advocate for Indigenous youth empowerment and health education. Currently completing a Bachelor of Health Science at Griffith University, Charlie aspires to continue his journey into the Doctor of Medicine Program, combining his cultural heritage with his academic pursuits.

As a child I always wanted to help. I enjoyed helping people in and around my community and have continued volunteering throughout my adult life. I have been a volunteer firefighter with the CFA since 1993. An encouraging comment during an event where I was providing first aid led me to a career change into Nursing. I first attended TAFE and completed an Advanced Diploma and now after 10 years as an Enrolled Nurse have undertaken a Bachelor of Nursing.

Sarah Blackwell, a proud Wiradjuri woman, traces her familial roots from the Mudgee area to the Wellington region of New South Wales, deep into Wiradjuri country. Despite her immediate family residing in Mt Druitt, Sarah’s upbringing unfolded on Darug and Gundungurra country in Penrith and the lower Blue Mountains region. This rich cultural environment has profoundly shaped Sarah’s outlook and fuelled her unwavering dedication to serving Indigenous communities within her medical career.

My name is Kirby, and I am a proud Walmatjarri man in my second year at the University of Western Australia. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with an assured pathway into the Doctor of Medicine.

My motivation for choosing medicine comes from my desire to continue using my problem-solving skills and to fulfill my aptitude for helping people, both in the broader community and ultimately within my own community.

Miah is a proud Wirjradi woman driven by her passion for medical equality and equity. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing with provisional entry to the Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Queensland. Miah is an advocate for Indigenous health, conscious of the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and the lack of common healthcare in rural communities. She was exceptional in secondary schooling, graduating from Toowoomba Anglican School with an exceptional ATAR and numerous academic and leadership awards.

I am a proud Gundungurra woman who has grown up on Palawa country, Tasmania. From a young age, I have had a deep interest in health and medicine, with my own experiences with illness sparking my curiosity, which has only developed deeper over the years. Due to health issues, I have followed an alternate path to be where I am today, however, my experiences have provided me with a wealth of knowledge and perspectives I am extremely grateful for.

I was born and raised in the small town of Derby, Western Australia. My passion for mental health advocacy is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Having grown up in an area plagued by one of the world’s highest rates of suicide, I’ve been touched by the impact of mental health challenges. Witnessing the absence of adequate mental health support services in our remote communities has fuelled my resolve to effect change.

I am a proud Meuram man from Erub (Darnley Island, Torres Strait), with connections to Ngāti Awa (Māori tribe). I bring over a decade of lived experience growing up in the remote communities of the Torres Strait, absconding from school and then excelling in school, working in not for profits and for profits, working both ‘on the ground’ and in administrative roles, caring for my 14-year-old niece, and being a former athlete and now strong advocate for youth and social justice. I have a unique lived experience and perspective that would be valuable to this committee. This lived experience coupled with a passion for empowering and enabling the next generation of young people to thrive and navigate an abundance of life.