Indigenous Health Scholarship Program

I am a proud Gurindji and Noongar woman and a mother of four wonderful children. Born and raised in Darwin, I am currently in my second year of the Northern Territory Medical Program at Flinders NT. My Indigenous heritage, culture, and identity have always been a driving force in my life, shaping how I approach challenges and my commitment to making a difference.

I had my first child at 17 and, despite achieving good grades, was unable to complete Year 12.

I am an Ugarem-le man with ties to Ugar island in the Torres straits and a final-year medical student studying at Monash University Melbourne. My journey into medicine has been shaped by personal experiences navigating the healthcare system alongside close relatives facing both chronic and acute illnesses. Witnessing these challenges first hand has driven my passion for improving healthcare access and outcomes for First Nations people.

My name is Kaiara Braybrook and I am a proud Kuku Yalanji woman. My mob is from Far North Queensland and I have grown up immersed in the Wurundjeri community. I will soon finish my medical degree and am currently aspiring to be a General Practitioner. As a doctor I intend to work with Indigenous communities to advocate for culturally safe care and aid in bridging the gap in healthcare for Indigenous peoples.

My name is Casey Slade, I’m a Ngiyampaa man from Ivanhoe NSW. I was born at Lismore base hospital but shortly moved to my dad’s hometown of Ivanhoe. We lived there for a few years before moving to Mildura and finally settling in Wentworth where I live when not at university. I was never sure what I wanted to do after high school until a few close family members needed to see specialists and I realised just how big of a barrier travelling so far for healthcare was, let alone the impacts it has on the person and their families.

My name is Ebony Woolstencroft (née Atkinson), a proud Bangerang woman who grew up in Tatura and now resides in Kialla. In the early 2000s, I successfully completed a TAFE certificate and became a registered Division 2 (enrolled) nurse, working in aged care for two years. However, life’s unexpected turns led me away from nursing, and I transitioned into a career as an administration and customer service officer, where I gained 15 years of valuable experience.

My name is Leila and I am a proud Palawa woman and a third-year medical student at Monash University. I was born in Nowra, New South Wales, and spent much of my early life moving across Australia, living in places such as Wagga Wagga, Adelaide and Ballarat. I completed high school at Damascus College Ballarat before beginning my medical degree at Monash University in 2023.

I am a proud Gomeroi, Dunghutti and Biripi woman from Moree, NSW, studying a Bachelor of Nursing at University of Southern Queensland. I have a strong passion for Aboriginal women’s health and wellbeing, and strive to make a positive contribution to the lives of Aboriginal peoples in rural and remote communities.

My name is Kaleisha Cowan Roberts, I am a proud Yuin and Bundjalung woman, who was fortunate enough to be born on Country in a small town called Nowra. I am a current 5th year medical student with less than 16 months left in my journey into medicine. I spent my whole childhood and teenage years living on Country, I was raised in Community and learnt the core values of my Cultural Identity from a very young age.

I am Sophie L’Estrange   I am a Kalkadoon, Wiradjuri woman. I grew up on Wiradjuri Country in Condobolin and Forbes and completed my undergrad (B. Oral Health) in Wagga Wagga.  I come from a farming and working family. Since finishing my undergrad, I have moved throughout rural and remote NSW, QLD and NT. I have worked in the dental field in urban and remote NT Indigenous communities, fished and camped at the tip of Queensland and worked on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Channel Country of SWQLD.

My name is Talia Cooke, I am a proud Gunnai Kurnai and Gunditjmara woman born and raised in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria. Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Coming from a blue-collar family with no healthcare workers has proved this adventure to be unpredictable at best. I am extremely proud to say I am entering my fourth year of Medicine at Monash University and have enjoyed every step of the journey.