After completing a 12-month Allied Health Traineeship program at Peninsula Health working in the Community Health Children’s Services team, Yuluwiri Pearce is officially a fully qualified Allied Health Assistant.
“It was a really rewarding experience,” says Yuluwiri. “I am so proud to have completed the program. I have loved working with the kids and being able to go to local communities to interact and build rapport.”
In addition to working in the Children’s Services team, Yuluwiri has gained a wide range of experience shadowing in different departments.
“It was really valuable to be exposed to different areas of healthcare, such as the NDIS Children’s team and the Planned Activity Group in Mornington,” adds Yuluwiri. “I particularly enjoyed attending cultural activities held at Willum Warrain in Hastings and Nairm Marr Djambana in Frankston.”
As an Aboriginal woman, Yuluwiri believes her work can help to make a difference in building trust in Aboriginal communities. “There is a lot of distrust towards medical people,” she explains. “If I can come into that space as someone from their community they can trust, I think it can help in improving their access to healthcare.”
A challenge for Yuluwiri was leaving her community and family in rural New South Wales. “It was hard to find my feet at the beginning, but Aunty Helen from Peninsula Health and Aunty Deb from Nairm Marr Djambana have both been great supports,” she says. “Meagan Maling was also incredibly supportive; she was always there to explain medical terms and help me with my study. The whole Children’s Services team was amazing to work with.”
Congratulations, Yuluwiri, on your completion of the Allied Health Traineeship program. We are looking forward to continuing working with you as a fully qualified Allied Health Assistant.