A graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital for seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students marks the next big step in turning their healthcare career dreams into a reality.
The teens have completed an 18-month traineeship across various departments at the hospital as part of the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal or Big Dream, Small Steps Program.
In a ceremony at the hospital on Friday 22 August, the students celebrated with their families and were presented with their Certificate lll qualifications in either Health Services Assistance or Allied Health Assistance.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) chief executive Susan Gannon congratulated the 2025 graduates who began their traineeships early last year.
“Each trainee has gained valuable skills, insight and experience in the healthcare industry while still at high school and working in various units across the Mackay Base Hospital,” she said.
“The aim of the program is to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to better reflect the community we care for.”
Mackay HHS Executive Director People and Culture, Peta-Maree France, said the traineeship gave the students ‘on-the-job’ experience and helped them develop foundational skills, knowledge and practical experience working in the health sector.
“Today we congratulate these graduates for their incredible courage and commitment as they transition from high school students to the next generation of our healthcare workforce,” she said.
“Heart, culture and community are at the core of this traineeship and their commitment and resilience should be applauded.”
Mackay HHS First Nations healthcare staff also congratulated the students and encouraged them to “be proud of yourself for following in the footsteps of our elders and being a lighthouse to help light the way for the next generation of First Nations healthcare workers”.
St Patrick’s College student Maleek Brennan said the traineeship had cemented their decision to study and eventually work as a nurse practitioner.
“I’ve had great support from the staff during my traineeship and I have now started the Assistant in Nursing (AIN) program while I am working in G2 at the Base Hospital,” Maleek said.
“I intend to apply for a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) at QUT and eventually hope to work in mental health.”
Holy Spirit College Year 12 student Grace Ridge said she enjoyed working in the Women’s Health Unit for six months as part of her traineeship and was fortunate to witness two babies being born.
She also gained valuable insight and experience working with geriatric and bariatric patients on G2, helping to feed and bathe them, as well as working in the green zone and short stay unit in the Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department (ED).
“It’s really been eye-opening and a unique experience, giving us good insight into the profession; the staff here have been very welcoming,” Grace said.
“The traineeship has also allowed me to apply for early entry to study nursing at James Cook University and I’ve only got about 60 hours left to complete my Assistant in Nursing (AIN) qualifications.”
The 2025 Big Dream, Small Steps graduating trainees are:
- Maleek Brennan – Certificate III Allied Health Assistance
- Isabella Coe – Certificate III Health Services Assistance
- Olivia Jones - Certificate III Health Services Assistance
- Grace Ridge - Certificate III Health Services Assistance
- Joni Thompson - Certificate III Health Services Assistance
- Madison Tatow - Certificate III Health Services Assistance
- Imogen Joseph - Certificate III Health Services Assistance
The Big Dream, Small Steps Program is a collaborative effort that provides a network of support for students. It is funded through Metro North’s Deadly Start program who has partnered with registered training organisation (RTO) Connect ‘n’ Grow to deliver the training.
Students are also provided with support by Seed Foundation Australia.
The Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal (Big Dream, Small Steps) program 2025 cohort began their school-based traineeships in July last year.