Rebecca Kelleher
Indigenous Health Scholarship 2019
Deakin University, VIC
Bachelor of Nursing
Scholarship Awarded 2011 – 2013
Sponsored by:
Rotary Club of Bright
LaTrobe University, VIC
Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
Scholarship Awarded 2019
Sponsored by:
Rotary Club of Bright
How will I contribute to improving Indigenous health as a qualified medical practitioner or health worker?
After completing my Certificate IV in Health (Nursing in 2003, I became very passionate about patient care and enjoyed the rewards of helping others. Since that time my motivation for continuing professional development grew. Nursing offers a broad range of areas to develop skills and over the last few years, my interest in the area of Women, Children and Families, in particular Pregnant Women has grown.
As an Aboriginal woman, I am committed to Indigenous Health and feel that I could make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander women having a baby at Goulburn Valley Health. I have a strong understanding of the community and feel that it would be of benefit to these women to have an Aboriginal midwife guide them through their pregnancy journey. Shepparton has a large Indigenous population, and I feel that with my Aboriginal heritage, experience and knowledge of Indigenous health, I could assist and care for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and extend support to their family. I would also bring these skills into my workplace and will contribute as an enthusiastic member of my midwifery team and bring a cultural aspect to the role, to try to support staff in their knowledge of the Aboriginal Culture and the disadvantages often faced by so many in the community.
My commitment to education and training is strong, and I intend ton putting everything into my studies in 2019 to ensure that I can be the best midwife I can be. I started my university studies late in life, and after deciding that I want to become a registered nurse, I commenced my first semester of university with a 6 week old baby. I juggled being a first time mum with being a first time university student, but through hard work and persistence I completed my degree. I am now a single mother to my 9 year old daughter and my goal is to complete my midwifery degree and to work as a midwife at Goulburn Valley Health for the years to come.
I feel that my dedication and my commitment to study will have a positive influence on my daughter, and inspire her to believe that Aboriginal people can achieve their goals.
Current Progressive Report
Throughout the Semester 1 period, we learned all about what is normal for the pregnant woman, and her neonate in the postpartum period. This was an exciting time to learn about the healthy pregnancy and healthy infants, and really laid down the foundations to be able to assess and recognise a clinically deteriorating mother or neonate, and to also recognise the signs of a fetus in distress through the antenatal and intrapartum periods.
During this semester I was fortunate to deliver 9 babies, and was able to be the midwife in receival of 6 babies. As part of my studies I was also able to recruit pregnant woman, with whom I was able to follow them throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. I have been fortunate enough to go on rotations throughout the Midwifery Ward, Birth Suite, and the Antenatal and Domicillary Clinic and attend home visits following their discharge from hospital. This year has been such a positive learning experience, and I feel excited about the prospect of becoming a midwife at the end of 2019.
With the help and support of the Rotary Health Scholarship I have been able to purchase stationary, books, uniforms and accommodation and petrol when travelling away to stay in Bendigo for University.