Lawson is a proud Wiradjuri man from Canberra and one of the 2024 graduates of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy in ACT.

At just 17, Lawson has already achieved milestones that many take years to reach. His journey began with a school-based traineeship in the IAHA National Academy (ACT Program), where Lawson successfully completed a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance with IAHA Group Training through a collaboration with Canberra Institute of Technology (RTO:0101).  All while balancing Year 11 and 12, attending work placements with host employer Canberra Hospital and his leadership role as School Vice-Captain at school name?

Lawson’s passion for healthcare stems from both personal experience and cultural responsibility. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of three, Lawson developed an early appreciation for the role of healthcare professionals. Combined with his commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with an interest in rural and remote areas. Lawsons passion and experience shaped his decision to join the IAHA National Academy.

Employed as a school based trainee with IAHA Group Training, Lawson not only gained hands-on skills and confidence through work placement and mentoring from both placement supervisors and IAHA Group Training staff , Lawson built lifelong friendships and professional connections that helped with his aspirations beyond his traineeship. He speaks proudly of his time as a school-based trainee as it offered him both cultural safety and career aspirations opportunities, upon his reflection that his voice and leadership matter. Lawson is the award recipient of the ACT 2024 School Trained trainee of the year and went further into representing at the Australian Training awards for his category.

In 2025, Lawson was successful in gaining further employment taking on an incredible role with ACT Ambulance Service as a Triple Zero (000) Emergency Call Taker as well enrolled in first year of Bachelor of Paramedicine at university? Lawson’s long-term aspiration is to serve as a paramedic in rural and remote Australia, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have equitable access to lifesaving care.

Lawson shares:
“IAHA Group Training gave me more than training, it gave me a pathway, a community, and the belief that I could achieve my goals. At 17, I’m proud to already be working in a job I love, while studying towards becoming a paramedic. I’ll carry the lessons and connections for life.”

Lawson’s story highlights the transformative impact of IAHA Group Training in nurturing the next generation of Aboriginal health professionals. His achievements stand as an inspiration to many.