I am a proud Gulidjan woman who grew up in Griffith, NSW. I am currently attending Western Sydney University studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine. In 2017, at the age of 12 I founded a charity called Bambigi that funds First Nations kids swimming lessons in the Griffith region. Over the past 6 years, I have raised enough money to pay for over 300 First Nations kids swimming lessons. In 2024 I was honoured to be a finalist in the National NAIDOC Youth Award for my work with Bambigi.

I like to swim and have been a member of my local swim club for ten years. I have represented the club at regional and state levels. I am now a qualified swim instructor and lifeguard, which I am very proud of. In 2024 I moved from my regional town to Sydney to become a paramedic. I have always wanted to help and give back to rural areas in Australia, and I believe by completing my degree and working as a paramedic, I can do that.

As a future paramedic, I am committed to improving the health of First Nations people, particularly in regional and remote areas. My experiences and passion for healthcare drive my desire to make a lasting impact on the well-being of others, with a focus on culturally safe, patient-centred care. I aim to build trust and establish supportive relationships with First Nation patients, acknowledging the historical mistreatment they have faced in the healthcare system.

Having witnessed the health challenges in rural areas, especially within my own family, I understand the importance of accessible, culturally sensitive healthcare. Chronic conditions in Indigenous communities are compounded by geographical, social, and economic barriers, and I am committed to advocating for early intervention and culturally tailored services.

I also plan to contribute to community health initiatives by promoting public health education, injury prevention, and first aid in remote areas. By empowering communities with basic healthcare knowledge, I hope to foster resilience and self-care. Additionally, I aim to collaborate with Indigenous leaders to develop culturally relevant programs and pursue postgraduate research to address health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Through my background in lifesaving and charity work, I have gained skills in high-pressure environments and teamwork that will help me tackle health challenges in Indigenous communities. Ultimately, I am determined to improve health outcomes and contribute to a more equitable future for First Nation Australians.

As I look back over the last six months, I feel a real mix of pride, exhaustion, growth, and resilience. I’m currently in my second year of the Bachelor of Paramedicine at Western Sydney University. I study full time and live on campus which is over 600km away from my family. However, being immersed in the university environment has helped me stay focused and committed, although it hasn’t come without its challenges. This year I’ve taken on a full course load, with subjects like pathophysiology, paramedicine care, care of diverse patients and cultural diversity in health. Some of these subjects have tested me deeply especially pathophysiology, which I found extremely complex and difficult to grasp at times. There were moments I questioned whether I’d make it through, so I was both relieved and excited when I learned I had passed. That result came after many late nights, tutorials sessions, and extra hours of revision. It was not just about passing, it was about pushing through when things felt overwhelming.

One of the most rewarding experiences this semester was completing my first extended placement in a rural setting. Being at an ambulance station, working 12-hour and night shifts for the first time, was physically and emotionally demanding. It was a real adjustment seeing patients in their most vulnerable moments, applying clinical knowledge in real time, and working with experienced crews. There were highs, like feeling confident handling patients, and lows, such as the emotional toll of confronting trauma. But overall, I learned so much about myself, my resilience, and my commitment to this career. To add to this excitement, I’ve just been told that I’ve been selected to undertake a five-week placement in London this coming January. This opportunity feels like an incredible next step in my journey challenging, exciting, and a chance to broaden my clinical skills in an international setting.

I have found I really thrive in practical, group-based learning. Working with my peers in simulated emergency scenarios brings everything together and reminds me why I chose this path. These sessions give me confidence and help me visualise what kind of paramedic I want to become, empathetic, calm under pressure, and always willing to learn.

Outside of my studies, I continue to run Bambigi, my charity that funds swimming lessons for First Nations kids. Although I am based on campus, I manage this remotely balancing planning, fundraising, and connecting with families. It is something that keeps me grounded and reminds me of the bigger picture and the communities I want to serve through healthcare.

As I head towards the end of my second year of my degree, I feel more certain than ever that this is the right path. It is not easy, and there are definitely times when it feels like everything is happening at once but the growth I have experienced already makes me excited for what’s ahead. I hope to work in regional or remote areas once I graduate, where I can support communities like the one I grew up in and make a meaningful difference.

This year has shown me that even when things feel “fine,” they often come after long days, a few tears, a lot of coffee, long phone calls home and constant self-motivation. I am incredibly grateful for the support that has helped me stay on this journey. Without it, balancing study, placement, and Bambigi would be incredibly difficult.