Power to inspire Pt Augusta nurse
by
Michele Nardelli
For Laurel Dodd, Bachelor of Nursing student at UniSA's Whyalla
campus and huge Port Adelaide Football Club fan, there was nothing nicer
than having Gavin Wanganeen award her a scholarship in person.
Dodd is the inaugural winner of the Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous Scholarship and she believes the champion footballer is doing something very special for Indigenous people.
“It is great – Gavin is a high profile, successful, Indigenous man and he is encouraging people to get an education and succeed and that is really important,” Dodd said.
And Dodd knows better than most that role models make an impact. Once an unemployed mother of four, she took on the challenges of studying, working and keeping the family going with gusto.
“Not everyone gets an even break and it is not as easy as it sounds just to get up and get a job and a career,” she said. “You need financial and emotional help and you need people to believe in you.”
Dodd completed her enrolled nurse training in 2002 and today nurses at the Pt Augusta hospital.
“I am so pleased that since I finished my enrolled nurse training we've had a bit of a run on with young Aboriginal people starting to study – we now have girls and guys from Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Maree and Pt Augusta studying the course.”
Dodd's example – in 2002 she was recognised as the NAIDOC National Apprentice of the Year and then won a top spot in the Nursing Excellence Awards – has been an inspiration to many people.
She was recently named South Australian Local Hero (Regional) for her contribution to the Pt Augusta community.
While not a university graduate himself, the Brownlow Medallist, Power Best and Fairest, two-time premiership player and the first Indigenous player to be granted AFL Life Membership, Wanganeen said it was vital that role models such as Laurel Dodd were rewarded and encouraged.
“I believe Indigenous kids need a range of role models – some in sport but also teachers, business leaders, nurses, researchers and other professionals,” he said.
The Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous Scholarship, sponsored by Australia Post and Corporate Express, will support Dodd through a further three years study in nursing.
Additional UniSA scholarships presented during Reconciliation Week included the Shirley Harper Indigenous Scholarship in Education won by Jaqui Harfield (Smithfield). The Irene and David Davy Scholarships were won by Scott Kropinyeri, Lorna Woodley (Pt Lincoln) and Kenneth Lechleitner (Alice Springs, now Netley). The Aboriginal Advancement League Grants were won by Kim O'Donnell (Strathalbyn); Laura Winslow (Murray Bridge, now Myrtle Bank). The Division of Business Indigenous Scholarship was won by Sam McCann (Pt Lincoln, now Plympton).