Josiah turns a traineeship opportunity into an impactful health career

Josiah is the fourth of eleven children and proudly identifies as a Bandjin and Djakunda man, as well as a proud South Sea Islander.

His upbringing in Bundaberg, surrounded by family and culture, grounded him in values he still carries into his work today.

By 2020, Josiah was travelling to the Toowoomba campus to complete his Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT30121) through TAFE Queensland.

One qualification quickly led to another. Over the next few years, he completed a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT40121), a Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Management (HLT50221), and later, a Certificate IV in Primary Health Care Practice (HLT40213).

Each step gave him more confidence, more skill and more clarity about the kind of health professional he wanted to become.

Through these foundations, Josiah unlocked opportunities he never imagined were within reach.

He went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Health Promotion with the University of Sydney in 2024 and a Graduate Certificate and certification in Diabetes Education and Management with James Cook University.

“The training I gained from TAFE Queensland unlocked job opportunities and further education,” Josiah reflected.

“They enriched my professional and personal life very much so.”

While Josiah’s high school years were filled with a variety of subjects, music, English, maths, Study of Society, Ancient History and ICT, he didn’t always enjoy some of the subjects he chose, and at the time, he didn’t imagine himself entering further education at all.

“I didn’t think I was good enough,” he admitted.

“People had strong opinions that I was average or wouldn’t amount to anything, but that became my motivation to prove them wrong.”

His mother, who raised eleven children before becoming a counsellor, modelled resilience and compassion. His father now works as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Worker, after careers as a labourer, support worker and assistant in nursing.

While growing up, he admired his uncles and aunts, people known for their hard work, community influence and generosity. Their reputations inspired him to carry kindness, excellence and commitment into his own life.

A conversation with his great-grandmother also stayed with him. She shared stories of her early life working on stations and encouraged him to “go as far as you can” and choose work that is meaningful. Her advice planted a seed that years later guided him toward health.

Towards the end of high school, Josiah began thinking seriously about his future.

He knew he wanted a rewarding career and loved helping people. Health seemed worth exploring. When the traineeship opportunity appeared, Josiah took the leap and everything began to unfold from there.

Josiah’s journey is filled with a number of accomplishments he holds close.

He was a finalist for Channel Seven’s Young Achiever Award in 2025, and has played piano and sung on the national television show, The Piano, and even whilst filming met Harry Connick Jr who took a keen interest in his career pathway and Australia’s model of community‑based primary health care.

After graduating from James Cook University with a postgraduate degree Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education in 2025, Josiah became fully credentialled as a Diabetes Educator through the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.

He has run a successful men’s group with no prior experience, watching it grow week after week.

These achievements represent creativity, academic dedication and leadership, the qualities that now define his professional identity.

For Josiah, studying at TAFE Queensland laid the foundations for his lifelong journey.

“My favourite part was the support,” he shared.

“The teachers were incredible and took me under their wing.”

Josiah speaks with deep gratitude for two TAFE Queensland health educators in particular, Leanne Morgan and Mandy Beetson.

Their guidance and belief in him shaped his experience and contributed to his success.

“TAFE Queensland created a culturally safe and flexible environment where students could work at their own pace. It made my dreams possible,” he explained.

During his studies, Josiah also formed lasting friendships, including meeting fellow First Nations student Michael.

Inspired by Josiah’s journey, Michael followed a similar pathway, and today the two work together in the primary health care industry with Gold Coast Health.

Now continuing to expand his career on the Gold Coast, Josiah is a qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and Credentialed Diabetes Educator, with experience working across Queensland, including Bundaberg, Yarrabah, Cherbourg and the Sunshine Coast.

Looking ahead, Josiah plans to continue his health studies, with a particular focus on sexual health, supported by his experience in diabetes management, areas he believes hold enormous potential to improve long‑term community outcomes.

Josiah’s advice to future students is simple and powerful.

“Give it a go. You never know what opportunities will open. Don’t let anyone’s opinions become a barrier to your future,” he advised.

Josiah hopes to inspire future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, showing them that with courage, support and the right opportunities, anything is possible.