Neville empowers through care

My name is Neville Penny, I am 31 years old and I live in Townsville with my partner and 4-year-old child, Neville.

I am Aboriginal and South Sea Islander. I grew up in Ayr and have a strong connection with my culture and community, and this connection comes from my grandmother’s side of the family.

Through my grandmother, I identify with the Nywaigi Tribe of Crystal Creek, North of Townsville, and, on my grandfather’s side, I belong to the Bundjalung people, located on the far north east coast of New South Wales and the southern eastern coast of Queensland near Tweed Heads.

I have been working in health care for more than a decade, and, from the beginning, it seemed that my path was always set towards a career of helping others in various roles in government and non-government organisations.

My Mum, Lena Watego, has been heavily involved in the Burdekin Area Youth Watch (BAYWatch) for the last 15 years in various jobs with the organisation.

My Mum has been in community service work most of her life and this has had a significant influence on my own life.

Having been a foster carer for many years, my Mum opened our family home to Indigenous children, who I have come to know as my brothers and sisters.

More recently, Mum started her own driving school business in Ayr, Way To Go Driving.

My Mum is a great role model for me and my brothers and sisters - she has shown us how to be successful in life and how to overcome challenges

I try to visit Ayr fortnightly to assist my Mum at BAYWatch, and I also volunteer with a Townsville men’s group, helping members find the support they need if they are struggling with mental health issues.

My early experiences have made me particularly passionate about helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people navigate the complexities of the mental health sector, and to advocate for those who need assistance to advocate for themselves.

In my culture, there’s a lot of stigma attached to the work I do, but I believe I have become a trusted source of information and advice within my community.

Many years ago, I tried to move away from the work I was doing with First Nations people to see if I made sense in another setting, but I didn’t.

This work makes me feel connected, it’s what I enjoy and it’s what feels right to me - this is where I can really make a difference.

I started my vocational education journey more than a decade ago, completing three certificates in alcohol and other drugs and Indigenous health care.

After years working in industry, I decided to upskill and further my career by studying a dual award, enrolling in the Diploma of Mental Health and the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC53215 / CHC53315).

But returning to study wasn’t without its challenges.

I had a fear of studying online but it was so much easier than I thought, particularly when I engaged the simple but effective strategies provided by my tutor and learning support mentor.

The empathy and understanding I received from everyone at TAFE Queensland helped me overcome obstacles during my training, including studying on top of a demanding full-time job, the birth of my first child, and the loss of loved ones.

My training helped me gain a better understanding of the intricacies of the industry, cementing strategies and knowledge I had encountered but had no formalised training for.

Not long after finishing my studies, I received a promotion with Queensland Health and took on the role of a Senior Health Worker for Child and Youth Mental Health.

In the last few years, I have transitioned from a small team of four to a large team of 25.

My studies helped me navigate this change by improving my communication, work prioritisation, and time management skills.

Managing different personalities in a large team, I found, can be challenging, but it allows for a variety of views and opinions, which I believe is a good thing.

I work with a team of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and psychiatrists, and I can effectively communicate with these professionals, particularly using industry-specific terms I learned during my course.

Working in a larger team has allowed me to gain a different perspective on things that I may not have considered before.

Following the completion of my studies, I have enjoyed the opportunity to return to TAFE Queensland to speak about my training and industry experience with educators and students.

I enjoyed my studies and I tell people all the time about how my TAFE Queensland training has benefitted my career.

I was surprised to learn that my dedication to my studies had been recognised by others when I received a regional Queensland Training Award nomination.

I feel proud to be a 2023 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year finalist.