“I was employed for 14 years as a Cultural Educator with National Parks, teaching people about Country, culturally significant sites and helping school children to understand our history, the importance of the land for Koori people and teaching hands on traditional techniques."
A proud Wiradjuri Ngunnawal woman, Talea would spend much time on Country and with community.
However, a death in her community led Talea to pursue a career in health, so she could have a more direct impact on her people’s health and wellbeing, on their willingness to access social supports and health services around Tumut.
“Sadly, my community had lost a lot of faith in the hospital system, and there were many wrongs. I looked at what was happening around me, I wanted change and I wanted to be a part of it. So, when the position for MLHD Aboriginal Health Worker in Tumut was advertised, I was compelled to apply,” Talea said.
“We can only talk for so long. Action is key to everything."
Talea is currently studying her Certificate 4 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health but feels that her strong family ties and experience on Country, teaching cultural awareness to both tourists and schools within the Riverina is one of the key factors that help in her role.
“My work is primarily about trust, and trust is something that is built on strong foundations. Nobody really likes coming to hospital, but especially Aboriginal people, there is much fear and much worry.
“It is very important to be recognised by your community, for them to understand where your heart is, so that they know you will do right by them,” Talea said.
Tumut recently opened its new health service facility, and Talea is happy to see the provision of culturally safe spaces including a cultural garden.
“My time with National Parks allowed me to spend much time in the bush, participating in traditional activities. It is such an important part of Koori life, so I have tried to bring some of that into my job, helping with our new cultural garden, smoking ceremonies, that sort of thing. There's space for kids to run around in the garden. There's quiet culturally safe space for family to sit and be together."
Talea sees her role as an Aboriginal Health Worker essential to her community.
“Aboriginal families are large, there are so many relatives, and we are a huge extended network. To be able to be that face, the one to help support my community while they're sick or they're injured or they're worried is one of the best parts of my job.
“You tend to do that anyway as family, but to be able to spread that out a bit further as a job, it is really meaningful, and I think is really rewarding.
“Tumut Hospital has a large team of health workers who are Aboriginal, in Mental Health, Allied Health, nursing and pathology. But I would love to see more people. My dream is to see more Koori faces in every department here, managerial roles, health professionals but also reception, cleaning staff, the kitchen staff, the wards staff. They are often the people that you chat to while you're lying in bed at hospital. Imagine the difference it would make to my people who come here,” Talea said.
“We are excited to have a school-based trainee here this year, and it's so important to give young school leavers a taste of all the different things available, to spend time with health professionals so they can find their passion. They are loving it so far, being offered jobs- and I hope that is just the start for them.
“I am a single mum with a very active five-year-old son, and he is about to start school this year. I’m lucky to have such a loving family around me and extensive ties to my community, all just around the corner if I need them.
“We actually have really good access to services here and lots of visiting clinics too, it is a matter of just helping people to access those things without feeling fearful.
“Things are slowly getting better here. With health professionals and staff who are part of the Koori community, it will help to drive the changes we need and I think that will help us to build more trust and close the gap."
