Liamon is making a difference for his mob

Liamon Mudd, a proud Kunjen man from Kowanyama, Cape York, always knew he wanted to become a nurse. 

“Health was always my calling,” Liamon said. “I have that personality to care for people, and I knew that health would be the best pathway for me to do that.”

This passion for healthcare led Liamon to undertake a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT40121), followed by a Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Management (HLT50221) at TAFE Queensland’s Toowoomba campus.

"I realised I needed to do more to upskill and better my experience so I could help close the gap in healthcare for mob. So, I enrolled in the Diploma," Liamon said. 

Liamon's educational journey began at TAFE Queensland's Cairns campus, where he completed a qualification in sports and recreation to further his role at the Kowanyama Multipurpose Centre. 

During his studies, he was supported by the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program, which provides accommodation options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students relocating from remote or regional communities to study or undertake an apprenticeship.

“If it wasn’t for the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Liamon said. “It set me up to succeed in life.”

Liamon's list of achievements is nothing short of impressive. He won 2020 Tropical North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, and was a finalist for Vocational Student of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards. 

While he was completing his studies at TAFE Queensland, Liamon worked at Gidgee Healing and Apunipima Cape York Health Council, primary healthcare providers that focus on delivering health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Far North Queensland. 

"TAFE Queensland gave me the hands-on experience to be the best healthcare worker I could be for my mob, my community, and the healthcare centre I work for. They have the facilities, equipment, staff, and teachers to make the best of us,” Liamon said.

Eager to upskill even more, Liamon is now using his TAFE Queensland studies to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University. This pathway allows him to transfer credits from his diploma and shorten the time it will take to complete his bachelor’s degree.

"TAFE Queensland gave me the boost to go to take the next step," Liamon said. "I still can’t believe that I am actually doing nursing at university."

He is balancing his studies with full-time job at Mookai Rosie Family Health Centre in Cairns, where his commitment to providing culturally safe healthcare for First Nations people has made a significant impact.

Theresa Simpson, Chief Executive Officer at Mookai Rosie, said, “Liamon is an inspirational young man to the community, with huge potential in the health field. Mookai Rosie is very proud to support Liamon through his health journey.”

"I feel blessed to be connected with mob from the Cape and Torres and provide essential services," Liamon shared. 

"It’s good to see mob taking up work in the health industry. Health is a big issue for First Nations people, and having our own people on the ground, providing a service for their own community and their own people will really help close the gap in healthcare."

“It’s very important, and I am so blessed and grateful that I had the opportunity to go through TAFE Queensland and make my way up the ladder."

“You can be anything you want to be if you’re passionate and want to make a difference for your community.”

Liamon’s ultimate goal is to return to his community and improve health outcomes for Kowanyama’s next generation. 

“I’ve got another couple of years before I graduate, but hopefully I can come out as a registered nurse, so that one day I can go back and make that change in healthcare for my community."

"I want to work as a child health nurse in Kowanyama, providing services that help close the gap in healthcare and benefit our future."

Terri Dick, Mayor of Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire, said, “Liamon is making all of us in Kowanyama very proud. He’s working hard to get the education he needs to come back and make a real difference in our community. It's such important work, and we’re inspired by his drive to improve health outcomes for our future generations.”