I am a proud Gundijumurra person who has many dreams and aspirations that I want to fulfil.   My background has taught me the importance of self-determination, the ability to dream big and that work and commitment will pave the way to opportunities and happiness. I feel proud to be a positive role model to my peers and I am the only Indigenous student at my school to complete Year 12 in 2021.   I have a strong connection to community, which ahs mainly been taught to me by my father who works with Indigenous children in the local area of Echuca.

In 2022 I was accepted into the Australian Catholic University at Ballarat to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree.  My goal is to complete my studies then further my studies by doing postgraduate qualifications.   I hope by studying nursing I can use my skills to work with and for Indigenous people to achieve this outcome through self-determination and education.    I want to Close the Gap and be dedicated to improving health and justice outcomes for First Nations people.   I feel I could contribute to Indigenous outcomes when I successfully get my Bachelor of Nursing degree as this will enable me to be able to work in Indigenous communities as a practising RN.   It will allow me to pave the way in working with organisations to be culturally appropriate when providing health and services.

This year is my final year of my Bachelor of Nursing degree which I am very excited to be qualified at the end of the year and work in the workforce. In semester 1 I completed 4 weeks of clinical placement at Echuca Regional Health in the Emergency department. I absolutely loved this placement and was able to see and do some amazing things. My growth, clinical skills and understanding of health and key elements of care, have developed throughout my experiences within a variety of different professional placements, where I have been fortunate enough to enhance my professional knowledge from doctors and nurses who aim to provide the best quality care to all individuals. On this placement I was fortunate enough to help assist with the intubation of a 13-year-old who was unconscious on arrival to hospital and having active seizures. I had the opportunity to work alongside some incredible nurses and doctors that day including the PIPER team. This was an amazing experience and learning opportunity.

I have recently applied for graduate positions for 2025. This is a very exciting period for me and has made all the hard work and study feel so worth it. This week I have commence graduate interviews at Southwest Healthcare in Warrnambool and Echuca Regional Health. I am excited to see where I may be successful in attaining my graduate year and for the future that lies ahead.

It is with much gratitude and sincerity that I thank those responsible for this scholarship and the funds have been paramount in me being able to succeed in my university studies at a time when student poverty is a real issue of concern for many of my fellow students.

I am so proud of what I have achieved and that my success will enable me to work with community and I hope that I can be a role model for future Indigenous students who wish to pursue their dreams.