My name is Logan Walsh, and I am a proud Kamilaroi man, who grew up in Roma on the traditional lands of the Mandandanji people in Southwest Queensland. I graduated from St Johns School in 2022 which is where I spent my whole primary and secondary school years – from Prep right through to year 12. In 2023 I moved to Brisbane to begin my university journey at ACU and started studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Currently I am in my second year of university and am really enjoying my degree.

Personally, I think physiotherapy will be a rewarding career. I love working with people and I have an interest in sports and how the body works. In pursuing a career in physiotherapy, I hope I can a make meaningful difference in people’s lives and help them achieve their goals.

As a current Allied Health Assistant at Children’s Health Queensland this opportunity has not only cemented my pursuit to become a qualified Physiotherapist but spiked an interest specifically in Paediatrics. As such, when I graduate, I aspire to be employed as a full-time Physiotherapist, potentially specialising in Paediatrics, where I will play a vital role in society by enhancing mobility, function, and overall wellbeing of our future generations. If I were to continue my employment with Children’s Health Queensland as a qualified Physiotherapist, I would love to work within outreach teams that travel to remote and regional Australia to provide healthcare to children that have limited access to professional healthcare services.

Ultimately, however, I want to become a culturally safe physiotherapist that engages with community and improves Indigenous health in Australia. I want to progress into higher leadership roles where I can advocate for inclusive practices that share and celebrate the oldest living culture in the world.

In reaching this goal, I will continue to learn and educate myself not only in the field of Physiotherapy but also Indigenous culture and the ongoing impact on colonisation. I will Endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of how to work with Indigenous communities through authentic and meaningful engagement and become a culturally safe physiotherapist that not only provides aid in rehabilitating injuries, managing chronic conditions, and fostering development, but ensures culturally safe healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

During my first semester as a second-year physiotherapy student at ACU, I have acquired numerous valuable skills. The subjects I have studied this semester include musculoskeletal physiotherapy prac 1, neuroscience for allied health, pathophysiology for physiotherapy, and research and evidence-based practice for physiotherapy. Each subject has imparted essential lessons and required the development of distinct skills.

As I progress into the second semester, the subjects I will be studying include physical activity & exercise in physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy prac1, musculoskeletal physiotherapy prac 2 and movement science for physiotherapy. I am keen to continue advancing my knowledge as a physiotherapy student. With each new semester, I look forward to the opportunity to build upon the foundational skills and concepts I have already learned.

Additionally, a highlight of my Semester 1 was attending the 2024 National Indigenous Uni Games in Wollongong, where ACU placed 2nd out of 31 universities. This event was not only a competitive achievement but also a significant cultural and personal experience. Participating in the Uni Games provided a unique platform to celebrate and embrace my heritage while connecting with other Indigenous students from various universities across the country.

The event fostered a sense of community and solidarity among participants, enabling us to share our stories, traditions, and experiences. It was an opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones, creating a supportive network of peers who share a common background and set of values.

In conjunction with my studies, I have recently started working at Children’s Health Queensland as an Allied Health Assistant. This role allows me to work with an experienced physiotherapy team and has provided reassurance that a degree in physiotherapy will lead to a rewarding career where I will have a meaningful job that helps improve people’s quality of life.

As a current Allied Health Assistant at Children’s Health Queensland this opportunity has not only cemented my pursuit to become a qualified Physiotherapist but spiked an interest specifically in Paediatrics. As such, when I graduate, I aspire to be employed as a full-time Physiotherapist, potentially specialising in Paediatrics, where I will play a vital role in society by enhancing mobility, function, and overall wellbeing of our future generations. If I were to continue my employment with Children’s Health Queensland as a qualified Physiotherapist, I would love to work within outreach teams that travel to remote and regional Australia to provide healthcare to children that have limited access to professional healthcare services. As I continue with my studies, I intend to leverage these experiences to deepen my expertise and enhance my capabilities as a future physiotherapist.