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 firsthand the unjust realities of what it is like to grow up in the bush.

Educational and health outcomes are statistically lower in rural and remote communities and as an Indigenous person, it is statistically more likely for me to go to gaol than it is for me to go to university. Furthermore, these early experiences of living in a rural, mostly Indigenous populated community shaped my understanding of healthcare inequities and ignited my passion to close the gap.

Whilst I did begin my career in education, my personal connection and ongoing experiences have driven me to begin a career in medicine to improve Indigenous health outcomes. .

As a qualified health practitioner improving Indigenous health care would be a top priority of mine. I believe strongly about strategies that would be culturally appropriate and inclusive to Indigenous communities and some of these would include:

• Preventative and regular health care screening.
• Advocating for more services and multidisciplinary services that can address specific needs of individual communities, specifically in rural and remote communities.
• Supporting Indigenous workers within the health care system, as racism is still quite common in the workplace.
• Collaborating with community members and listening to stories. Including Indigenous community members in decision making also assists health autonomy.
• Education about preventative care for common illnesses to improve health literacy, this would also assist in eliminating barriers of ‘shame’ about certain illnesses. Outreach programs are a fantastic way to do this.

It is important for medical practitioners to have clear, respectful and culturally sensitive communication within Indigenous communities, and since doctors are always given so much trust, it is paramount that that trust is always held onto and protected, especially when considering the history of this country. I think research and evidence-based practice, pushing for policy change as well as supporting and listening to traditional healing practices is a fantastic way to advocate for Indigenous health outcomes to change.