“My name is Michale Chandler and I am an Aboriginal and Australian South Sea Islander woman from Juru country in the Birri Gubba nation of Bowen. I graduated from JCU with my Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2017.
I really enjoyed my placements while studying, some of which were really interesting, like the Acute Neurology Rehabilitation Ward at Townsville Hospital, and the Surgical Ward at the Cairns Base Hospital. I have been employed as a full-time school based physiotherapist with the Department of Education in Townsville. I will be working with a team of therapist visiting local schools and helping students from 5-17 years of age.
Eventually, I would like to start my own practice in my hometown of Bowen.”
This story first appeared in V1-2018 Indigenous Education & Research Centre eNewsletter by James Cook University. To read the full newsletter, please click here
James Cook University student Michale Chandler was awarded the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) “Future Leader in Indigenous Allied Health Award” at the 2017 National IAHA Conference in Perth.
The award recognises her leadership skills and commitment to study, and acknowledges her as an inspirational role model for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.