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.

Firstly, what an honour it is to be the recipient of the Australian Rotary Indigenous Health Scholarship. In response to this scholarship, I would like to introduce myself; My name is Tazarni Clarke and as a proud Gundijumarra woman, I have many dreams and aspirations that I wish to fulfil. My Aboriginal identity shapes my self-determination and has taught me the ability to dream big and through hard work and commitment I will pave the way to opportunities and happiness. I live in the rural town of Echuca on Yorta Yorta land and am currently employed at the Echuca Regional Hospital as a RUSON whilst I complete my university degree.  I have also successfully been offered the first Indigenous Cadetship at Echuca Regional Health of which I am extremely grateful. I am currently now moving into my third year of my Bachelor of Nursing course at Australian Catholic University. In 2023,  I was fortunate enough to receive the Australian Rotary Indigenous Health Scholarship.

The Australian Rotary Indigenous Health Scholarship has assisted me over the last year with travel costs as I travel 2.5 hours each way weekly to attend classes. The scholarship has provided assistance to help support placement costs such as travel, food and accommodation.  The scholarship has allowed me to purchase textbooks and study materials, uniforms that I need for placement and  for practical classes each week. This scholarship has assisted me throughout my university degree by reducing stress associated with financial costs and allowing me more time to concentrate on my studies to ensure success. This year I was sent to Warnambool for clinical placement some 4 -5 hours from home, this scholarship helped me pay for placement accommodation costs and associated living expenses.

As a result of this scholarship, I have grown both academically and professionally. This has been evident in my ability to successfully complete each subject within my university degree and to maintain excellence throughout. My results within my university degree have been directly supported from this scholarship which provided me with the appropriate tutoring and resources to achieve success. Furthermore, my academic performance and professional qualities demonstrated at Australian Catholic University, have underpinned my values and abilities within the healthcare profession. This has been evident in my knowledge and ability to apply effective care for patients in a regional hospital setting, throughout my current employment.  My growth, 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.

This scholarship allows me more time to concentrate on my studies which has been evident in the results I have achieved at ACU.   This is a direct result of the excellent grades that I have achieved which are all credits or distinctions. I completed Year 11 & 12 during the COVID lockdowns and like most secondary school students I lost all interest in my schooling and began to struggle with my mental health. My admission to ACU through the early admission scheme has allowed me the chance to love learning again. Since working at the hospital and studying for my Bachelor I now have plans to finish my studies and go on and complete post-graduate studies. I hope by studying nursing I can use my skills to work with and for Indigenous people in remote communities to achieve better health outcomes through self-determination and education.

Without this scholarship, my dreams of becoming a nurse would be out of reach. As someone growing up in a regional town, where there is no University available, my goals and future desires seemed impossible to achieve. As a result of this scholarship, I have been able to pursue my university degree and I am grateful for the financial support that this scholarship has provided me. Indigenous people are less likely to undertake an undergraduate degree, compared to non-Indigenous individuals and through this scholarship, I feel proud that I am the third child in my family of five to be undertaking a University Degree and that my siblings and I are working towards closing the gap. In fact, I am the only Indigenous student in my year 12 group who went on to University and remains at University. I am proud to say that I am a role model for others in this small town in which I have grown up. It is with much gratitude and sincerity that I thank those responsible for this scholarship and it remains the driving force for me to ensure success.