A local Kempsey and proud Wiradjuri and Dunghutti woman, April Collins, has graduated her Bachelor of Midwifery course at The University of Newcastle in Port Macquarie.
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She is the first Indigenous graduate of the course in Port Macquarie and was one of around 80 graduates who completed their studies across a range of disciplines at the University’s Port Macquarie campus on February 5.
During her degree, April was stationed at Port Macquarie Base Hospital for two years before applying to be transferred to Kempsey District Hospital.
“It was really important for me to give back to my Dunghutti community in Kempsey,” she said.
“I went all through school in Kempsey and grew up there so to be able to work and help my community is something I really wanted to do.”
With the strong support of her family, April is committed to giving back to the community that inspired her to reach her goal.
“I don’t think I would have finished the course if I didn’t come back to Kempsey, it really helped me a lot.”
April was st Kempsey District Hospital for three years as a student midwife and during this time she helped deliver her own nephew.
“I was assisting in births where I knew the mother and even delivered my own nephew which was very special,” she said.
“There have been situations where I’ve been able to connect with Indigenous mothers or have conversations which may have been tricky for those without the cultural knowledge. I think it’s been good to have someone from the local community working there.”
April is continuing her work in regional NSW following her graduation, she began a new graduate position at Tamworth on Monday where she will be stationed for the next 12 months.
“I’d love to eventually come back to Kempsey and work in my own community. They have supported me through this and to give back to the community would be amazing.”
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