My name is Tahlia, and I am a proud Gumbayngirr woman of Ngerrie land (South Grafton, NSW). I am currently studying Pharmacy, where I am excited about providing impactful healthcare on the front line to my community. After studies, I plan on relocating back to my homelands to assist the rural and regional healthcare professional shortages, and to lead my community to a positive, inclusive future.

Beyond my studies, I am a representative netball player of Grafton Netball Association and SCALA Netball, as well as a C badged umpire. I love to visit my family and friends back at home when I can, and I enjoy playing the guitar and piano.

I am extremely grateful to be deemed a recipient of this scholarship, and would like to address my appreciation to the Australian Rotary Health group.

Wrapping up my third year of my undergraduate degree – where has the time gone? The conclusion of my last buffer between ‘casual’ study and study that will directly impact my future career – it hit me all at once. ‘I am going into my final year next year’, ‘I feel I should work harder for my GPA’, and ‘I need to study hard from now on if I want that hospital internship!’ The lead into that final year was a daunting achievement, though executed with pride.

My relationships with my peers and course convenors continued to grow, my clinical knowledge and understanding became more vibrant, and my aspirations in becoming the best health care professional I can be more powerful. And with the conclusion of Trimester 2 of 2024 also came the nearing of the end of my time at Logan Hospital Pharmacy, where I was swirled between sadness and hope moving into my next role at the Gold Coast University Hospital in early January of 2025.

Trimester 2 of my third year of my Bachelor of Pharmacy was both the start and the end of many things, though I will continue to strive forward through the changes and challenges with the strength of my passion in leadership and the generous support of Rotary Australia.

My name is Tahlia O’Hara and I am a proud Gumbaynggirr woman studying in my final year of Griffith University’s Bachelor of Pharmacy. I am writing to you to express my appreciation for your ongoing support through the Rotary Australia Indigenous Health Scholarship, and to provide a reflection on my formative experiences throughout 2025 so far.

University this year has been full of many new emotions and experiences. Studying full-time since February with limited breaks has proven difficult, as expected, however the concept of moving through my final year has sparked a real emotion of gratitude and conclusion. Attending workshops to hear ‘when you are practicing as an intern’ has a sudden depth to it, entailing an array of responsibilities that seem to have arrived so quickly. And although I am ready (as I have been preparing for practice for nearly four years now), I should be ready, the anticipated amount of change in the upcoming new year is terrifying. Working towards independence when my workplace experiences have been supervised, and the shift in accountability of patient care and safety, is daunting.

However, the support I have and continue to receive outside of the classroom from Griffith University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, as well as the GUMURRII Unit (First Nations student support hub), has been pivotal. The flexibility of being able to have a yarn with all staff in these faculties has alleviated daily stresses, and their genuine care in my wellbeing and future career has uplifted my self esteem and confidence moving forwards greatly.

In June, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, with aid of the New Colombo Plan scholarship, also supported me and a fellow pharmacy student to complete a two week international placement in Vanuatu. Here, we were hosted by Vila Central Hospital’s pharmacy team in Port Vila, Efate, where we gained invaluable cultural, linguistical, clinical, and procedural experiences. It was amazing to understand the pharmacy from a logistical perspective too, as the department operated exceptionally well under the financial, political, and environmental challenges. To be honest, I could talk about this placement hours, though overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate and for the memorable community connections that were formed.

I have also received much support from my workplace, the Gold Coast University Hospital Pharmacy, where I recently transitioned my QLD Health First Nations Cadetship role from Logan Hospital to expand my hospital experiences across multiple Hospital and Health Services. The pharmacy team has facilitated my professional and clinical development significantly, with providing me extensive opportunities in ward experience as a Pharmacy Assistant Senior and gifted me with a sense of belonging. These attributes have given me a major boost in strengthening my applications for Pharmacy Internships for 2026, being a mandatory component of registration, where positions in the hospital space can be very competitive amongst students.

This year has been a mixed bag for sure, though in conclusion, I am grateful for my support networks, including Australian Rotary Health, for supporting my academic goals and career purpose. With achieving two high distinctions and one (double credit point) distinction, I am on the path of finishing my Bachelor of Pharmacy with strength. Thank you for your ongoing support.