I am an Aboriginal woman from the Yorta-Yorta nation, and a mature age student with a young family. I have wanted to become a medical doctor and work within the Indigenous community for a long time, but simply was not ready as ‘life and family’ prevented me from doing it sooner.   Prior to starting medicine, I was working as an Alcohol and Other Drugs worker (AOD).   I was working specifically with Aboriginal women suffering from substance abuse as a result of trauma, domestic violence and other life challenges.   Working alongside with these women made me realise how much more I can offer if I were medically trained.

There seemed to be a ‘gap’ with the level of care from a medical perspective when these  women visited a General Practitioner as a required part of the program.   The women would often complain of not ‘being heard’ and being ‘judged’ as an addict rather as a woman trying to get her life back without substance abuse.   Achieving this degree will give my voice more power to deliver and contribute to the change that is desperately needed to improve the overall health and well-being of Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable communities.   I am truly dedicated to becoming a GP or rural generalist to help reduce the burden of care of rural and remote communities with Indigenous health my top priority.

1^st Rotation Women’s Health

It was exciting to return to studies after having to take an intermission due to Breast cancer treatment and recovery.   I was not sure if I was physically ready to return to full time study, but I wanted to get on with it and continue my studies.

Women’s health was a wonderful experience being able to assist with delivering babies and being able to scrub in for caesarean section was amazing.

2^nd Rotation General practice

I loved this rotation as this is the area of Medicine, I intend to specialise in. This rotation was less physically demanding to which I was very grateful for.

I was placed at two clinics one in Ringwood and the other in Monbulk. Both clinics offered a good variety of patients, but I especially loved the Monbulk clinic as it had more of a rural feel being based in a small community. I plan to go rural as soon as I am able to work as a general practitioner.

Overall semester 1 was successful and allowed me to continue into semester 2 where I am currently on my 3^rd rotation of Childrens health.