I cannot speak highly enough of the work that SIS do, if it wasn’t for SIS, their belief in me and support, I would not be where I am today.
At school I was always interested in sport and health. So in year 10 I attended the Health and Science camp offered by School of Indigenous Studies (SIS) at UWA. I knew UWA was for me and that I wanted to do something in Health and Sport. After finishing year 12, I only just missed out on getting into UWA. I spoke to Gabe and had to do a maths competency test to gain entry to UWA. After passing that I was offered a place and enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Health). Coming from Shark Bay I stayed on campus for my first year, which helped me settle into Perth.
I absolutely loved the Exercise and Health degree. It incorporates sport and health giving you experiences and skills in both areas preparing you for many different career pathways – Teaching, Physiotherapy, Sport and Recreation management. Almost every unit has a sport component, making the degree very social, enabling you to form friendships with the majority of people in your year group!! Because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, this degree was fantastic!! I did units to enable me to further study teaching and exercise rehabilitation - my 2 areas of interest. There are also a lot of practical opportunities involved. I did practicums at Swan Districts Football Club and St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls and visited Jigalong Aboriginal Community.
During my last year of study I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I graduated – I knew I wanted a break from studying. I started working in Aboriginal Health part time in my last semester of Uni, I did that for 10 months, I then worked for 6 months as an Aboriginal Islander Education Officer (AIEO) at a primary school near Midland. In February 2014 I started at BHP Billiton as a Graduate Health and Safety Advisor. I was honoured to be selected for the role and have thoroughly enjoyed what I have been exposed to so far. I hope to make the most of this job and learn as much as I can to prepare me for a permanent role within BHP Billiton and the health or mining industry. I hope to stay at BHP Billiton, further my career and be able to balance life with work, my fiancé and our future family.