Rebekah Cabales

Rebekah and Dr Vanessa Guthrie AO, Curtin University Chancellor.

My name is Rebekah Cabales, and I’m 30 years old. I grew up in Darwin, on Larrakia country, and moved to Perth when I was 16. I finished Year 10 in Darwin and started Year 11 here in Western Australia.

The transition was harder than I expected—the curriculum and the way teachers approached lessons were very different from what I was used to back in Darwin, and I struggled to keep up. Eventually, I decided to drop out of school.

A year later, I enrolled in a beauty diploma course, knowing it could open the door to university someday. I spent eight years working in the beauty industry, but I always felt like something was missing.

I went back to Darwin for a few months and, while there, I met a barrister from Perth who offered me a job as a legal secretary/paralegal in a criminal defence firm if I returned to Perth. I worked in law for five years, but I knew in my heart that law wasn’t my final destination.

My passion for helping others led me to a new path—working with children with disabilities in foster care. It was during this time that I realised nursing was my true calling. I applied to Curtin University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and at the age of 28, I started my degree but balancing full-time work and full-time study wasn’t easy.

I didn’t feel comfortable leaning on my family for financial support, especially since my father was in jail and my mother was managing on her own.

When I spoke to my lecturer in my Indigenous studies class, he suggested I apply for a scholarship. At first, I hesitated. I thought there were others who needed it more than I did. But he reminded me that I was just as deserving, so I applied.

Soon after, I began the practical component of my nursing degree, which required me to attend full-time unpaid placements, leaving no time for paid work. The financial strain was overwhelming. I was barely managing to pay my bills and found myself constantly stressed.

When I received an email informing me that my Moorditj Yorga Scholarship application had been accepted. I burst into tears and immediately called my mum, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.

The Moorditj Yorga Scholarship didn’t just provide financial support; it offered holistic support, and I felt incredibly fortunate to have this network behind me.

Throughout my degree, there were many moments when I wanted to give up. Juggling full-time study, personal challenges, and financial stress wasn’t easy. But my determination to succeed and my desire to find my “forever career” kept me going. At 30 years old, after multiple career changes, I had finally found my true passion.

There were tears, frustrations, and countless moments of self-doubt. But with the support of my family, friends, and the scholarship team, I never gave up. My inner drive to do better, to be better, always carried me through.

Graduating was an emotional experience. Having Paul from Southern Cross Group, my donor, attend my graduation was incredibly special. I felt overwhelmed by his presence, as I didn’t think I was important enough to have someone like Paul support me. But seeing him there, celebrating my success, meant so much to me and my family. It reinforced that I was worthy of this achievement.

Rebekah and Paul Newman, Director Southern Cross Pacific, at the 2024 Curtin University Graduation.

Now that I’ve graduated, I’m working as a nurse at Perth Children’s Hospital on the Oncology/Haematology ward, and I’ve never been more fulfilled. I know this is the career I’m meant to be in. In the future, I hope to continue growing in my field, learning, and making a difference in the lives of my patients.

To anyone who feels like they’re not worthy or that the journey is too difficult—don’t give up. Determination, faith in yourself, and leaning on those who support you can get you through anything. Life is full of curveballs, but it’s also full of growth, learning, and moments of deep gratitude. To the donors, especially Paul and Southern Cross Group, your support means the world. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t always believe in myself.

Boordawan,
Rebekah Cabales