Yaama (hello), 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.

Throughout my studies, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding the healthcare challenges faced by these communities, with a particular focus on healthcare demographics and sociological issues of healthcare disparities in rural and remote NSW. My academic efforts in these subjects have stood out, reflecting my dedication to making a meaningful impact in improving health outcomes for First Nations populations.

As a paramedicine student at Charles Sturt University, my ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive care to those in need, both within my local community of Walgett and across broader contexts. I am driven by a profound sense of pride that is deeply rooted in my Indigenous heritage, continuing the legacy of the ancestral wirrigans (clever men/women), which helps me overcome the challenges of studying.

Upon successful completion of my studies, I aspire to join the NSW Ambulance Service, working towards achieving the clinical level of intensive care paramedic, with the commitment to returning to Walgett, where I will dedicate myself to paramedic duties in the pre-hospital environment and contribute to the well-being of the community.

My commitment extends beyond individual care, encompassing community engagement and mentoring, particularly encouraging the local youth to pursue healthcare education and employment. Collaborating with local elders and healthcare providers, I aim to participate with local medical services to develop culturally sensitive healthcare programs and advocate for improved healthcare policies for First Nations populations within the community, in turn helping to close the gap within healthcare.

As semester 1 comes to an end and last week marks the beginning of semester 2, I have taken the time to sit down and reflect on the amazing journey that I have travelled throughout the past 4 years in both a personal and academic capacity. As I am writing to you tonight, I am filled with a plethora of emotions as I am one step closer to the end of my Bachelor of Paramedicine with Charles Sturt University. This is a journey that 10 years ago I would have never thought would be a reality, a journey that has proven my true abilities through determination, discipline and dedication to not only healthcare but to the communities and support systems that have helped me be in this very position that I am in today.

I would like to dedicate this moment to say a heartfelt thank you to the Rotary teams and members for choosing to support this very journey, your unwavering support has provided me with the opportunity to excel within my studies. I have grown in confidence, maturity and purpose, and I am extremely proud of how far I have come. The support of the Rotary Club has played an important role in helping me become the version of myself who now sits here tonight, nearing the completion of a goal that once seemed so far out of reach.

As I enter the final stages of my Bachelor of Paramedicine, my focus is on successfully completing my remaining subject (CLS307 – Transition to Paramedic Practice), clinical placement requirements and preparing to transition into professional practice. As I have mentioned previously, my long-term goal is to return my skills and knowledge to communities like Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke, where culturally safe and accessible healthcare is greatly needed, which I feel very confident that will be realistic and achievable.

Throughout Semester One, I continued to strengthen my clinical knowledge, decision-making and confidence in pre-hospital patient care. I have finished semester 1 with a High Distinction for CLS300 – Advanced Cardiology, this is yet another example of my dedication to studies and the support of the scholarship. This subject strengthened my understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and the recognition of time-critical cardiovascular emergencies. I developed greater confidence in systematically interpreting 12-lead ECGs, identifying cardiac rhythms and recognising signs of myocardial ischaemia and infarction. Most importantly, the subject taught me to interpret ECG findings within the broader clinical picture rather than relying on one result alone. This has been especially valuable to my paramedic practice, where early recognition, thorough assessment and timely treatment can significantly influence a patient’s outcome.

My studies have allowed me to further develop my understanding of patient assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical communication and evidence-based practice as I am closer to becoming a registered clinician who will soon be practising independently next year. Whilst on placement I have also continued learning how important it is to advocate for patients, remain calm under pressure and consider the person behind the illness or injury and not just think of the patient as just another job.

One of the most valuable lessons I have taken from this semester is that becoming a good paramedic involves much more than technical knowledge. It requires empathy, integrity, accountability and the willingness to continually reflect upon and improve my practice. Each assessment, clinical scenario and placement experience so far has helped shape the kind of clinician I hope to become.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support and for investing in my educational journey and future. The Rotary Health Scholarship has been such an amazing initiative for rural and remote students aspiring to improve themselves. It has been a blessing to have the support of the scholarship throughout the years I have studied, and I can definitely say without the support of the program, I would most likely not be where I am today. I hope that my continued progress demonstrates how genuinely grateful I am for the opportunity you have provided. I look forward to sharing further updates with you as I complete the remainder of my degree and move into the next chapter of my healthcare career with NSW Ambulance as a trainee paramedic in 2027.