Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) and the Indigenous Allied Health Academy (IAHA) continue to strengthen opportunities for Aboriginal students through a partnership that directly supports a key priority of the Aboriginal Health Action Plan 2021–2026: to strengthen and grow our Aboriginal workforce.
By focusing on career development and increasing participation, the partnership is building a skilled and talented workforce while enhancing relationships across the District.
Barrie Jenkins, Aboriginal Workforce Coordinator, said the success of the program depends on the commitment of staff across the District.
“These opportunities are only possible with support from management, departments and individual staff stepping up as supervisors and mentors,” Barrie said.
“Partnerships like this are essential as we work towards a brighter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their health outcomes.
“These efforts are helping us work better as an organisation and deliver stronger outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
The Aboriginal Health Unit has also secured funding through the Department of Education’s Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant, enabling an additional 10 school‑based traineeships across the district in areas such as nursing, administration, allied health assistance, IT, dental, and pharmacy. Expressions of interest have now closed, with the strongest response from Aboriginal students to date.
The Legacy – Elders
Community support for the initiative is strong. Aunty Sue, a Tweed Heads community Elder, Ngayundai Aboriginal Health Council representative and past NNSWLHD employee, reflected on the impact of seeing Aboriginal trainees succeed:
“Hearing about the recent success of our Aboriginal trainees across Northern NSW fills my heart with pride. For me, visibility matters and seeing our mob represented at every level of healthcare, from trainees right through to leadership, changes how our communities feel walking through those doors.
“When I look back on my own long career in health, it means so much to now see this happening across generations in my own family, my daughter working as a Registered Nurse in Qld Health, my son in a senior role with the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, and now three of my grandchildren stepping into health pathways.
“It shows that our people belong in these spaces. And it’s happening more and more. That’s something we should recognise, nurture, and celebrate.”
Celebrating our 2025 graduates
Amarli King
- IAHA Student Choice Award
- IAHA Future Health Leader Award
Amarli proudly completed her Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, undertaking her clinical placement on her own Country, Widjabul Wiabul Country.
She was hosted by the Lismore Aboriginal Health Unit, worked with the Chronic Care for Aboriginal People team and gained valuable exposure in the Emergency Department.
Amarli said completing her placement on Country was deeply significant as it allowed her to strengthen her cultural connection while building skills to support her community.
“I’ve always had a strong interest in working in health, and the opportunities offered through this traineeship really appealed to me,” Amarli said.
“It provided experience of what it’s like working in health, helped me build skills to support mob and patients in community and offered learning that deepened my understanding of the health industry.”
She added: “I loved going out with the workers, meeting people of all ages, from young children to Elders, and getting the chance to work with our mob. It’s shown me how rewarding and meaningful this kind of work can be.”
Amarli’s favourite experiences included observing in the Emergency Department and supporting movement programs for Elders.
“That connection to community is powerful. It gives people a familiar face.”
Through the traineeship, Amarli has secured early entry into university to study a Bachelor of Nursing, with the long‑term goal of becoming a paramedic.
Tayis Cavanagh
- IAHA Commitment Award
Tayis completed his Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance whilst studying Years 10 and 11 at school. He undertook placements at Coraki HealthOne, the Lismore Aboriginal Health Unit and Casino Memorial Hospital. His dedication and perseverance earned him the IAHA Commitment Award.
“I applied to the program because I saw an opportunity to do something different and out of my comfort zone,” Tayis said.
“What I enjoyed the most was getting to help out with programs in the Lismore community.”
Tayis reflected on the impact of the traineeship: “My experience at my placements has been amazing. I’ve been working with very kind and supportive people, and I’ve learned a ton. I’ve noticed a change in myself – I’ve become more outgoing and proactive.”
Looking ahead, Tayis said: “My goal after completing the traineeship is to finish Year 12 and then go to university to study nursing. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’ll try my best to tackle it head on.”
Building the future
Across Tweed Valley Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital, and other sites, IAHA and Elsa Dixon trainees are gaining hands‑on experience and building pathways into health careers. Recent graduates like Ebony, now working as a qualified AIN at Murwillumbah Hospital while preparing to study nursing at Southern Cross University, show how these opportunities are creating lasting impact.
Together, these partnerships are not only growing our Aboriginal workforce but also shaping the future of healthcare across Northern NSW. With graduates like Amarli and Tayis leading the way, the future looks bright.
Pictured
Top: Tweed Valley Hospital – IAHA Trainees placed with NSWLHD Allied Health Team and Tweed Aboriginal Health Unit.
From left: Rhianna Browning, Ariella Chatfield-Noter, Patrisha Parsons, and Kyarla Davis.
Middle: Lismore Base Hospital – IAHA trainees placed with NSWLHD Allied Health teams in Casino, Lismore, Ballina, and the Lismore Obstetrics and Gynaecology Team.
From left: Joseph King-Beale, Kameka Allen, Cedar Pick, Zariah King.
Below: ED Trainee AIN – Nate Barrett, commenced 2025, Grafton Base Hospital, Surgical Ward.
Bottom: Sasha Harrington, Manager Aboriginal Workforce, Amarli King and Tayis Cavanagh, IAHA graduates, and Barrie Jenkins Aboriginal Workforce Coordinator at the IAHA graduation ceremony.