Gaining qualifications in Indigenous Health is just the start for many of the students who recently started an innovative training program with their first residential training block held on the Sunshine Coast.

While earning two Certificate IVs in Health is an important key to career opportunities anywhere in Australia, for many of the students it goes much deeper. They want to bring change, set the example and ensure tomorrow's generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders enjoy better health and lifestyles.
Gaining qualifications in Indigenous Health is just the start for many of the students who recently started an innovative training program with their first residential training block held on the Sunshine Coast.

While earning two Certificate IVs in Health is an important key to career opportunities anywhere in Australia, for many of the students it goes much deeper. They want to bring change, set the example and ensure tomorrow's generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders enjoy better health and lifestyles.

In early August, 28 participants from across Queensland gathered for a four-day residential training block. The group were inspired by guest speakers, earned a First Aid Certificate, and learned basic, practical clinical procedures.

Another 150 students have also commenced training in four other regional centres across Queensland.

Using Murri Trainers to deliver in regional communities in partnership with several Indigenous organisations, the Health Workers for Healthy Communities program is a bold and ambitious initiative of John Pearson Consulting, targeting the on-going skills shortage in Indigenous health and community sectors.

The accredited training is being delivered in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE and jointly funded through the Federal Government. Through the program students have the opportunity to earn a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care) and the choice between either a Certificate IV in Mental Health or Alcohol, and other Drugs.

Celestine Fisher, one of the students who attended the orientation week at Mudjimba is focused and committed to a healthier future for her people.

At just 17-years-old, Celestine already boasts four years' experience in the health field, and has almost completed a Certificate III in Indigenous Primary Health. As she prepares to start her Certificate IV, she is juggling the completion of her Year 12 studies at St Peter Claver College in Riverview and two paid jobs. Earlier this year, together with a friend, she also coordinated a NAIDOC event in Logan.

Her ultimate goal is to be a mid-wife, although she says she would be just "happy being a health worker" if it means making a difference.

"I want to get all my qualifications and go out to remote communities and give back to our people," said Celestine who is Aboriginal and Vanuatu-an.

"I have chosen to study Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs (ATODS) because there's such great need in my area. I want to run a program with the schools through local state schools in the Ipswich area because so many young people are experimenting.

"I see what's happened in my family in the past, and I want to go one better. That's how I see it. And I want to do something that makes me happy every day when I go to work ... and that's how I feel about working in health."

Eight people from the south-west centre of Cunnamulla attended the orientation. The township has a population of 1500 with about half being Indigenous including Anne Marie Mitchell who has worked at the Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health for nine years.

For the past 18 months she has worked in the sexual health unit, but says that due to the demand of the clients, everyone at the Corporation is versatile. Anne Maree has witnessed the need for more Indigenous health workers first hand, with the Corporation often struggling to fill positions that become available.

"Cunnamulla is my home, and seeing the amount of mental health issues in the community, particularly in the last five years amongst our young people has really blown me away," said Anne Marie. "I feel obligated – I feel I need to put myself out there and help out my people."

"I've worked in the sexual health unit for about 18 months – but we are all generalists. I've had a Certificate III (Primary Health Care) for about five years and had heaps of training, but now I can actually earn a Certificate IV in Mental Health."

Mother of four, Zara Cassady, is grateful for the opportunity to start the second phase of her working life. Formerly a nurse with Ingham Hospital in north Queensland, Zara is looking forward to moving on from maintenance and cleaning work that has sustained her and family during her children's younger years. With grown children, she now has more time to work, but needs to renew her qualifications.

"I would like to work in our health system again in Ingham," she said. "We have two workers there in Indigenous Community Health, but there's not really anyone working in ATODS – and there's a big problem there.

"For me growing up, alcohol was a big problem and I got into trouble from it. I went through a really bad time and realised that it wasn't the way to deal with stuff. I want to help our community and give back."

With Students coming from all over Queensland, the next 12 months workshops for the Health Workers for Healthy Communities will be held in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Woorabinda and the Sunshine Coast. As a result of this program, it is estimated that 150 Indigenous Health Worker graduates will enter into, or move into more senior roles, in the Health Sector upon completion.