Lorraine Randall

Hi, my name is Lorraine Randall. I am a proud Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara woman, born and raised in the Northern Territory with family connections to Uluru, Mutitjulu, Badu Island and Pearce Point regions.

I commenced with IAHA Group Training as a school-based trainee in 2020 when I joined the Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Academy (NTAHA) to study Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance to try something new. I wanted to gain experience working in health and be with my friends. IAHA has supported me so much and given me the opportunity to start my career in health.

I have had the best experience learning about the health field. I have made new friends and met many new people, and with the support from IAHA Group Training and NTAHA, I’ve overcome many challenges, including my school attendance.

The support given to me within the program has given me the opportunity to bring out more confidence, knowledge, independence, leadership, motivation, determination, and maturity into my workplace. As an Aboriginal person who has grown up in the Northern Territory, I have a greater understanding of the experiences Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have and continue to face. Learning from the IAHA team has changed me into a leader and a role model to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistant.

The training provided both on and off the job has got me to where I am now. The support, guidance, learning was more than anyone could ask for. The care and wellbeing support made it possible for me to achieve and made me believe in myself. In addition, the training was made interactive and relevant to the work we would be undertaking in the workplace. This made it easier to ensure we were prepared when we went into the workplace. My on-the-job training was with the Palmerston Regional Hospital, where I worked within the Allied Health team as an Allied Health Assistant trainee.

The staff were always there to assist where needed and were able to push us outside of our comfort to strive to achieve. I still thank the team for everything they do, and they are still supporting me even though I have completed my training.

Since completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, I have successfully gained full-time employment as an Allied health Assistant at Royal Darwin Hospital within TEHS, working within the Speech Therapy team.

What makes me different from everyone else is “My Culture, My Country, My Story”.