IAHA Media Release: Indigenous ACT students to broaden their horizons in health careers

Indigenous Allied Health Australia, the national, peak member-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health organisation, in partnership with the ACT Education Directorate, hosted 53 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander year 9 and 10 students from local Canberra schools for an event to showcase pathways into health careers.

Students from eight Canberra high schools and the Yurauna Centre at Canberra Institute of Technology participated in a range of interactive health sessions hosted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals on the University of Canberra campus.

Students participated in engaging activities which showcased different elements of health and wellbeing, increasing health literacy and student’s understanding of the roles of different disciplines in maintaining good health and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

The Broaden Your Horizon event coincides with the planned expansion of the IAHA National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy into the ACT in 2021.

The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy will enable local students to complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance alongside their secondary school qualifications, establishing the skills and base to pursue further education, training, and employment opportunities.

IAHA Chairperson acknowledged the support available to students, saying:

“IAHA and those present at the Broaden Your Horizons event are committed to supporting the success of our Aboriginal and Torres young people, by providing them with the tools to understand the available opportunities and that their aspirations for the future are important and supported.

IAHA hope that the ACT Academy will support local Canberran students to pursue their interests and goals, whatever they may be. Our national office is based on Ngunnawal and Ngambri country (Canberra) and the expansion of the Academy is an important demonstration of our commitment to the local community.”