Member Spotlight – Physiotherapy Day 2024 – Tjarra Kilpatrick

Tjarra Kilpatrick, a proud Dunghutti woman is currently living and working in nipaluna/Hobart on Palawa Country. Tjarra who is a IAHA graduate member – physiotherapy and an alumni of the 2022 IAHA Leadership Program. IAHA are immensely proud of the strength and determination Tjarra has demonstrated as a student and an early graduate physiotherapist.

Tjarra reflected on her journey to becoming a physiotherapist, and the things she loves are working and connecting with mob. Tjarra shared prior to studying, she was working in hospitality for a couple of years, going on to complete a Certificate III in Fitness until she realised what she wanted to do. Tjarra successfully applied to study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme, an initiative administered by the Wollotuka Institute, which continued to support her throughout her degree.

“A key experience during my course was my final year placement in remote Northern Territory alongside Flinders University. This experience was made possible by the deadly team at IAHA and was one of the most rewarding learning experiences in my journey so far.” 

Tjarra went on successfully to graduate in 2022. “I really enjoy helping people. I see movement and exercise as natural medicines that us physios use to help people get back to doing what’s important to them.” 

Tjarra acknowledges the vital importance of working with mob. “I take such pride in my role in providing care for mob in a way that empowers us, especially when working within a system that has historically been a source of grief and misunderstanding. It’s important to create space to listen and know our strengths. It’s important that we have good access to services that meet our needs and help us to keep our bodies, minds and hearts strong and healthy.” 

Tjarra recently returned home to Dunghutti Country for the Yuwa Nyinda Dream Academy event on Wednesday, 28, and Thursday, August 29, 2024, in Kempsey. The event saw over 2000 students from primary and high schools across the region attend the two-day event and get to experience Social, Cultural and Careers Spaces. Tjarra together with IAHA Student member Cale Burge (Wiradjuri) proudly represented IAHA at the event and facilitated an interactive allied health stall where they yarned to students about allied health careers, pathways to university and a plastering activity.

The 2024 Physiotherapy Week theme is low back pain (LBP) and the role of physiotherapy in its early prevention, management and treatment. Tjarra shared, “Low back pain usually resolves within a couple of weeks or months, but for some people, it can last longer. It is a complex condition and can be influenced by a wide range of factors. Physiotherapy plays an important role in managing and preventing low back pain through manual therapy, exercise, and working to build positive beliefs and resilience to help people get back to doing what’s important with them.”