A graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital for six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students marks the next big step in turning their healthcare career dreams into a reality.
The teens have completed an 18-month traineeship across various departments at Mackay Base Hospital as part of the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal or Big Dream, Small Steps Program.
In a ceremony on Tuesday 10 September, the students cut the graduation cake and were presented with their Certificates lll qualifications in either Health Services Assistance or Allied Health Assistance.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) organisational development manager Kelly Klemen congratulated the 2024 graduates who began their traineeships early last year.
Each trainee had gained valuable skills, insight and experience in the healthcare industry while still at high school by working one day per week, including school holidays, in various units across the Mackay Base Hospital, she said.
“The aim of the program is to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to better reflect the community we care for,” Kelly said.
“This traineeship gives the students ‘on-the-job’ experience and helps them develop foundational skills, knowledge and practical experience working in the health sector.
“It’s become such a valuable, growth experience for many of them it solidifies their decision to work in the healthcare industry.”
As one of seven children, trainee Domonik Battersby felt very “at home” working in the paediatric department at Mackay Base Hospital and well as spending time in the surgical unit, wound clinic and emergency department.
“This traineeship has been a real stepping stone for me to realising my dream,” Domonik said.
“I’ve worked different shifts, seen many different aspects of working in healthcare and heard some really interesting stories; it’s helped finalise my decision to work towards being a travel nurse,” he said.
North Mackay State High School student and trainee Tiarni Walker is committed to studying nursing at university after she began her traineeship in April last year.
Working in both the renal unit and F2 medical unit at the hospital helped her to develop rapport with patients and grow her confidence.
“I did a range of different tasks such as feeding, showering and bathing and bed making in the unit. I really liked seeing the elderly patients, having a chat with them and knowing that what I was doing was making a difference to them,” Tiarni said.
Trainee Bella Roberts enjoyed face-to-face contact with people while working with physiotherapists and occupational therapists in CHATS (Community Health and Therapy Services) and intends to follow an allied health pathway and further studies.
Mirani student Fletcher Pinkard credits the traineeship with helping him “step outside my comfort zone and value the many different pathways to get into the work environment”.
Yasmin Johnson’s “eye-opening” experience as a trainee working in the Women’s Health Unit at Mackay Base Hospital has motivated the Pioneer High School student to further study and pursuing her dream of being a midwife.
The Big Dream, Small Steps Program is a collaborative effort which provides a network of support for students. It is funded through Metro North’s Deadly Start program who have partnered with registered training organisation (RTO) Connect ‘n’ Grow to deliver the training.
Students are also provided with support by Seed Foundation Australia.
The Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal (Big Dream, Small Steps) program 2024 cohort began their school-based traineeships in July.
