From Badu to the big smoke: How connection helped Torres Strait Islander, Nathaniel Tamwoy, become a lecturer at Sydney University

A trailblazing Torres Strait health lecturer has overcome a crippling sense of isolation and self doubt to achieve his academic dreams.

Torres Strait Islander Nathaniel Tamwoy is lecturing in health science at the University of Sydney, while completing his PhD degree in applied health science at the University of Technology Sydney. Picture: Brendan Radke

A trailblazing Torres Strait health lecturer has overcome a crippling sense of isolation and self-doubt to achieve his academic dreams.

And now book-smart Badu Islander Nathaniel Tamwoy is sharing his experiences and cultural knowledge with students at one of Australia’s most prestigious universities.

“There’s not a single pathway and you don’t have to do it by yourself,” the inspirational 27-year-old said.

In 2021, Mr Tamwoy defied the odds when he became the first family member to complete tertiary studies, graduating from University of Sydney with a degree in occupational therapy.

“A lot of family don’t really understand it,” he said. “The only real celebration for them is to see their son, or family member, happy.”

Since then, the health worker has started a PhD at the University of Technology Sydney and returned to his alma mater this year to lecture.

Mr Tamwoy is hoping to inspire more First Nations students to pursue higher education. Picture: Brendan Radke

The former AFL Cape York House boarding student, who moved 850km south to Cairns to further his studies at 14, said one of the biggest challenges for many First Nations students living away from home is seeking help.

“When I was at university I thought I was doing it by myself because everything you do is done independently,” he said. “Whether that’s training, watching all the lectures, studying, or reading.

“But that’s not true. You can do it with someone else and through that you’ll find shared common ground, connection.

“By doing it that way, you make the journey the achievement and not the end goal.”

As an occupational therapist, the proud First Nations man said Australia’s rich Indigenous cultures had much to share with the emerging healthcare field which focuses on addressing people’s mental health, physical disabilities, illness and disorders.

“I see so much of what OT is and what it does already in our community,” Mr Tamwoy said.

“Our First Nations community understands the importance of the individual and letting the individual drive getting help.

“It’s a young profession but there’s 60,000 years of practice (in Australia) that’s all about recognising community members and their importance.”

Nathaniel Tamwoy completed his degree in occupational therapy in 2021. Picture: Brendan Radke

REMOTE ISLAND TO SYDNEY

While in high school, Mr Tamwoy was invited to be a part of the university’s Wingara Mura leadership program which supports outstanding First Nations students to gain qualifications and undertake professional roles across the university.

“That program is about a week long for kids in Year 10, 11 and 12 experiencing university,” he said. “We built that connection and I wanted to invest in those relationships and see where that pathway could take me.”

Since coming back to Sydney University, Mr Tamwoy has worked to improve and build on teachings around First Nations peoples’ relationships with the health sector, Associate Professor Rick Macourt said

“Nathaniel strives to connect with his students, adapting his content to best suit the learning of his class,” Mr Macourt said.

“Outside of this teaching, Nathaniel is working with teams across the discipline to develop content where cultural connection is at the heart of teaching content.”

Mr Tamwoy excelled at multiple sports, including AFL, rugby league and rugby union while pursuing his studies. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Tamwoy, who grew up mostly speaking Creole and Kalaw Lagaw Ya before learning English, said finding ways to relate to First Nations students was critical to increasing the number of Indigenous students who go on to study at university.

“As someone who was young and immature, my brain was still developing and I really struggled,” he said.

“For me, it (study) was about the relationships that I built that allowed me to pursue something so foreign. It wasn’t about seeking knowledge but the continuation of the relationships.

“I now think I have a set of skills and disposition that allows me to connect with other lecturers and students but also to bring new knowledge, a foundation that hasn’t been recognised.”

Originally published as From Badu to the big smoke: How connection helped Torres Strait Islander, Nathaniel Tamwoy, become a lecturer at Sydney University