NT Health Aboriginal Cadetship Program can ‘change’ the Territory

Teegan Wattam has seen firsthand the lack of health services available in the NT. Now, she’s in a position to make change.

For Larrakia woman Teegan Wattam, completing her degree is a way to give back to her community.

The 24-year-old Charles Darwin University student is on the cusp of completing her Master’s in Speech and Language Therapy through the NT Health Aboriginal Cadetship Program.

“I hope to contribute to giving adults and children a way to express themselves, as I believe everyone should be heard,” Ms Wattam said.

“Speech Pathologists have a very important role in helping people with speaking, understanding, learning, expressing themselves and swallowing – these aspects are all very important when thinking of a young child’s development.”

The cadetship program, which commenced in 2020, supports Aboriginal students starting undergraduate or postgraduate studies to gain professional health qualifications, including nursing, midwifery, psychology and speech pathology.

Teegan Wattam, 24, has completed her studies via the NT Health Aboriginal Cadetship Program.

Ms Wattam said her personal experiences had motivated her to join the cadetship.

“Growing up in the NT I’ve seen firsthand the lack of health services available,” Ms Wattam said.

“As a young Aboriginal woman, I feel there needs to be more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health professionals within the Territory.

“I hope to see the cadetship grow, so that more (First Nations) people are supported, and I hope this means we seen an increase in the amount of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the sector.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed applications for the 2024 intake were open and said she believed First Nation representation in the health industry was important.

“We need more Aboriginal Territorians in frontline health environments, and this program is designed to support that, ultimately delivering a better patient experience across the Territory.”

Ms Wattam said she believed the younger generation would “change the world”.

“As an aunty to three very proud and resilient boys, I have a strong belief that they and the younger generation will change the world,” she said.

“I believe the younger generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will make a massive impact in not only the health sector but in the world and programs like the cadetship need to be established and improved to support these young people.”

Applications close January 21 2024, and can be applied for at jobs.nt.gov.au.