Our Reconciliation stories - Ellie

24 Oct 2016

24 October 2016

I am currently 20 years old and studying my third and final year of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at the Australian Catholic University, with hopes of doing postgraduate study in physiotherapy.

I have been an intern with St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital since 2014 and thoroughly enjoy spending my university breaks with the specialist rehabilitation team, enhancing my knowledge and gaining a head start on my career. I am very grateful for the opportunity.

I mainly work with the allied health department but have been fortunate enough to experience working on the ward from numerous perspectives and seeing how each role and discipline interrelates with the other.

Interning has given me confidence in my own skills and abilities. I have consolidated the course content in a practical manner and the exposure has taught me ways to be the best health professional I can be, which goes beyond anything covered in the lecture theatre or classroom.

I am very proud of my Aboriginal culture and the strong sense of connectedness it grants me, which makes giving back to my community a passion of mine. I volunteer with an indigenous mentoring program for secondary students, encouraging them to believe in themselves, strive to reach their goals and obtain a higher education, thereby defying stereotypical attitudes and helping to close the gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians.

When I am a qualified physiotherapist, I also hope to offer my skills to an organisation where health professionals travel to remote communities to provide medical assistance to those who might not have access to it otherwise.