A career for a proud, strong woman

Josephine is proud to be one of Curtin’s first Moorditj Yorga (Strong Women) Scholarship graduates. Five years ago, while working as an Aboriginal mental health worker in the Perth suburb of Armadale, and keen to gain the career skills to have a greater positive impact on Aboriginal health and empowerment, she was encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Now, she is making a difference as the Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy at the South Metropolitan Health Service. 

Josie is a Whadjuk Ballardong Wilmen Yeud woman who knows the devastation of trauma and the barriers to changing your circumstances. 

Born in the wheatbelt town of Merredin and growing up in southern suburbs of Perth, alcoholism and violence were normalised, Josie explains. Then, at the age of 21, Josie’s world fell apart when she lost her mum to cancer. 

Sadly, she entered a relationship with someone she describes as “just like my father”. Her partner died in custody several years later, and she turned to drugs to numb the pain, which then became a part of her life.

“Life was a blur,” she says. “I’d hit rock bottom. Then, I spent a few weeks in hospital after a medical incident, and for the first time in a long time I was free of drugs.”  

She made the decision to change her life, not only for herself but for her children and granddaughter. She gained a job, and applied for the Moorditj Yorga Scholarship for mature-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Josie completed a Bachelor of Applied Science with distinction, gaining the skills for a career in health, community development and management. 

“I had a strong commitment to my education,” she says. “I reminded myself that someone was helping me achieve my dreams and I never wanted to take that for granted.” 

“I’ll spend the rest of my life showing my gratitude by endeavouring to improve the lives of my mob. I’ve contributed more to society in recent years than I could have imagined.” 

But, she explains, although she leads a busy life, she stops to think about the strangers who provided the gift of a scholarship, and the transformative power of education. 

“Their selfless contribution not only gave me hope, they gave my children and granddaughter a future … and they are empowering my people.”  Moorditj Yorga scholarships are funded exclusively by donors. To make a gift the of education, that will create a positive legacy for Aboriginal communities, please donate by visiting curtin.edu/mys

This article was originally published here by The West on 8 July 2024.

Learn more about Josie’s story here.