Miss Ford was one of five students from the Armajun Aboriginal Health Service where she works, giving her great opportunities to carry out the 600 hours of practical work required for graduation.

“I just want to give back to my community, and help out where I can,” she said.

“I’m passionate about good health outcomes within the community and surrounds, and I feel I’ve found my calling.”

She said the course was quite a journey, requiring a one week block of study in Sydney every six weeks. There were lots of assessments, always under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse.

Miss Ford must have stood out from her cohort as she was approached by the college to present a speech at the graduation ceremony.

“I loved every minute of the course,” she said.

The enthusiastic community worker is now qualified to offer a range of frontline health services, but continues to see her primary role as linking people to GP and other specialist services, and to be an advocate for her clients.

“No matter what life throws at you, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and you can find the strength to do anything,” is her philosophy.

Miss Ford now plans to continue her studies with the aim of becoming a registered nurse.