I am a proud Ngemba woman currently living in Sydney.   I have previously completed a Bachelor of Public Health at the University of Wollongong in 2021 and am starting my Master of Public Health.  I have always been passionate about public health, specifically health promotion that aims to prevent chronic illness by educating people about risk factors for certain chronic diseases.   I have always been interested in taking the skills I learned in my undergraduate degree and working in the Aboriginal health sector to give back to my community.   Throughout my undergraduate degree, I have had the chance to intern with the National Health and Medical Research Council working with the public health team.   This internship involved working on the scoping review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people sue of the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Indigenous Guide to Healthy Eating.

Through this internship, I was ale to learn about the most prominent issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition including food including food insecurity, lack of education and limited financial resources.   I also interned at the Thurru Indigenous centre at the University of Newcastle where I had a chance to co-author the development of the Trauma Response in Public Health journal article written by the University of Newcastle that looked at relevant chronic diseases in Aboriginal communities.

I began working for the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) as a community engagement officer in the policy team.   Throughout this time at AH&MRC I have developed a knowledge and skill base across relevant domains of health positive under the Closing the Gap initiatives.   I had the opportunity to go into communities across New South wales to hear about common health issues people are facing.   This allows our team to work with government to over come these issues.   I will continue to work at AH&MRC whilst I study as my master’s degree to continue contributing to the Aboriginal health sector and developing my workplace skills.

As I approach the end of my Master of Public Health degree, with a major in Indigenous Health, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey over the last two and a half years. The final semester has been a whirlwind of challenges, successes, and moments of self-discovery. Throughout this period, I’ve been studying remotely through UOW Online, which has provided flexibility with my full-time job. While being remote provides the advantage of time management, it also means that the academic load often feels heavier and more intense. At times, it felt like I was managing a constant tug-of-war between my studies and the responsibilities of my full-time role within NSW Health, which focuses on infectious diseases.

In terms of my courses, this semester was really interesting. I took three subjects that aligned with my academic goals and also resonated with my professional aspirations. The subjects focused on leadership, health systems, and Indigenous health, which are areas I have become passionate about. While the content was engaging, the workload was significant, and at times, I found myself questioning whether I could manage the balance. But the outcome, achieving two High Distinctions (85 and 86) and one Distinction (77) was a great surprise and a reflection of the hard work I have put into my studies. There were moments of self-doubt, especially during exam periods, where the pressure felt overwhelming. However, I was grateful for the flexibility in my work to take study leave.

Outside of the coursework, I found myself doing thing that were surprising. I have rediscovered my love for reading, diving into books to help switch my brain off between studying. The act of reading provided an escape from study and a way to relax my mind. Additionally, I have been involved in a local soccer team, which has offered a much-needed social outlet. Though the team did not make the finals, the experience has great, as it’s allowed me to interact with others and recharge outside of my academic bubble.

As I move toward graduation, I’m beginning to reflect on where I see myself next. I am committed to continuing in my role within NSW Health, where I am honing my skills in infectious disease management. My goal is to focus on initiatives that improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities, drawing on both my academic background and professional experience. The journey to this point has been filled with challenges, but it has also shaped me into someone who is passionate about public health and dedicated to making a difference.

Looking forward, I feel equipped with the knowledge and experience to tackle the complexities of public health challenges, particularly in Indigenous health. The road has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. I am excited to take what I’ve learned and move forward into a career where I can contribute to positive change in the health sector.

Lastly, thank you to my sponsors from Rotary in Wollongong. It has been great getting to know everyone and presenting on my studies. I am looking forward to catching up with everyone in September.