Sharing the gift of caring

Graduating with a Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT30113) has given proud Kamilaroi woman Terri Winters the confidence to help the next generation better care for themselves and each other.

The mother-of-two is now so inspired to make a difference for First Nations peoples that she is furthering her studies with a Certificate IV in Crime and Justice Studies (10283NAT), focusing on Indigenous health.

“At the end of my studies, I intend to put my new skills to work by creating health-focused corrections workshops for Indigenous women who are suffering from substance abuse,” Terri said.

“I have enjoyably spent the majority of my life working within the beauty industry, however as I've gotten older, I've become passionate about becoming a valuable member of my community through helping others to create positive change," she said.

“I'm very proud of my culture and take very seriously the responsibility of being someone that my children and others in my community can respectfully look up to and follow.”

Having previously completed a Diploma of Beauty (SHB50115) in 2013, Terri is again returning to the TAFE Queensland Toowoomba campus to study.

“I feel incredibly supported as a First Nations’ student at the Toowoomba campus. My current studies are not set out like the Indigenous health studies are, however thanks to the above and beyond support provided to me by the Indigenous Student Support Officer and crime and justice faculty, I'm continuing to thrive within my chosen studies,” she said.

“Through my TAFE studies, I was also able to make connections with like-minded community members, which in turn has created many opportunities for me to learn even more about my culture.

“As a future Elder, I feel strongly about developing the skills to become an active participant in supporting the closing the gap initiatives within my community.”

TAFE Queensland is proud to be the largest and most experienced Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in the state. Every year more than 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students study with TAFE Queensland.