Meet Dr. Ellen Engelke, a proud Curtin medical graduate, and her mother, Dr. Catherine Engelke, a Curtin School of Nursing alumna and Senior Medical Officer in Kununurra. Together, they are making a lasting impact on rural and Indigenous health.
This remarkable mother-daughter duo is not only shaping the future of medicine in regional Western Australia but also paving the way for aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to follow their dreams. Thanks to the generosity of donors through the Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Scholarship, Ellen was able to focus on her studies, achieve her goals, and be inspired to give back to her community.
For Ellen, medicine is more than just a career—it’s a calling shaped by family, community, and the drive to make a difference. Watching her mother balance medical studies while raising a family instilled in her the belief that she, too, could follow this path.
“Mum studied while I was young, and I remember watching her practice clinical exams on me,” Ellen recalls with a smile. “She never pressured me to follow in her footsteps, but seeing her journey made me believe that if she could do it, so could I.”
Catherine’s own path to medicine was one of resilience. She began her career in nursing, later completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing (Midwifery) at Curtin in 1996. Determined to pursue her dream, she became a doctor, setting an inspiring example for her daughters.
“I wanted them to know they could achieve anything they set their minds to,” she says.
A Supportive Journey at Curtin
Ellen describes her time at Curtin Medical School as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
“Some of my best memories—and some of my toughest—were from medical school,” she admits. “But the support from staff, peers, and the wider Curtin community made all the difference.”
Being part of a young medical school gave her a strong sense of belonging.
“There’s a real community feel at Curtin,” she says. “We were all in it together, and I made friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.”
Ellen was also awarded the Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Health Scholarship, which eased financial pressures and provided invaluable encouragement.
“The Rotary community genuinely cared about my journey,” Ellen shares. “Their support gave me even more motivation to succeed and give back.”
A Passion for Rural and Indigenous Health
Now embarking on her medical career, Ellen is deeply committed to rural and Indigenous health. Inspired by her experiences in Kalgoorlie, she hopes to build trust within communities and provide lasting care.
“I want to be a doctor that people can rely on—that’s what matters to me.”
Her mother, Catherine, has seen firsthand how Curtin medical students develop strong adaptability and problem-solving skills through the university’s problem-based learning (PBL) approach.
“PBL challenges students early on, but it helps them develop an inquiring mindset and clinical reasoning skills that serve them throughout their careers,” she explains.
Giving Back and Looking Forward
Ellen believes in the power of giving back—something that was instilled in her from an early age.
“A group of strangers believed in me and supported me. That inspires me to do the same for others,” she says.
Her advice to future medical students?
“Be yourself, apply for every opportunity, and when you receive support, make sure to give back.”
As Catherine watches her daughter step into medicine, she is filled with pride.
“She’s going to be an incredible doctor,” she says. “She has the heart, the determination, and the humility to truly make a difference.”
With strong family values and a deep commitment to community, Ellen’s journey is just beginning—proving, just like her mother before her, that dreams are always within reach.
