The recent residential workshop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander non-GP specialists was an uplifting and impactful weekend, providing a culturally safe space to yarn, build confidence, and connect with one another on their journeys.
AIDA’s Specialist Trainee Support Program (STSP) team invited specialist trainees and pre-vocational doctors to gather in Port Stephens (NSW). The weekend began with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony delivered by Justin Ridgeway and his father on Worimi Country. This ceremony grounded the group and set a meaningful tone for the workshop, connecting everyone to the land and culture right from the start.
AIDA’s Medico-Cultural Lead, Dr. Karen Nicholls, then led a yarning circle to provide a supportive space for everyone to open up, share their goals, and set their intentions for the weekend. This session helped participants feel heard and ready to actively participate in the workshop. The group also reviewed the agenda for the weekend, where we introduced the purpose and structure of the sessions. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share what they hoped to gain, and set clear intentions. This helped build trust and foster a collective focus among the group from the very beginning.
We then split into two streams: one for pre-vocational doctors and the other for specialist trainees, ensuring that each group received tailored support relevant to their stage in training.
For the pre-vocational doctors, the focus was on career mapping, CV preparation, and goal reflection. These sessions provided practical tools and confidence for navigating the early stages of their medical careers. Participants walked away with clear strategies for tailoring applications to meet panel expectations, along with a stronger sense of career direction.
Meanwhile, the specialist trainees worked on MCQ practice and exam preparation, strengthening their readiness for the next steps in their medical careers. Natalie King facilitated this session, helping the trainees enhance their skills and approach to MCQs. They also participated in a media and communications session, emphasising the importance of cultural identity and confidence when engaging with public platforms. This session equipped the trainees with the confidence and skills to present themselves with cultural integrity, understanding the significance of their cultural identity when engaging with public platforms.
AIDA Program Coordinator, Bianca Fields, led a powerful CV-building session for the pre-vocational doctors, helping them structure their CVs, highlight their strengths, and tailor their applications to meet panel expectations. This session built confidence in presenting their professional profiles, equipping them for future career opportunities.
In the afternoon, the group visited the Murrook Cultural Centre and participated in a cultural walk led by Shaun Ridgeway and his nephew, connecting deeply to Worimi Country and learning about bush medicine and cultural practices. This experience deepened their understanding of cultural practices of the local area and provided a powerful, grounded connection to the land.
On Sunday, Bianca returned to continue the CV-building session, allowing pre-vocational doctors to refine their CVs further and learn from one another. Later, Dr. Leila Usher led a session on the recruitment process, providing the doctors with strategies to navigate the application process and position themselves for success. She also held a yarning circle with the specialist trainees, allowing them to reflect on their experiences and share insights into their personal journeys. This reflective space helped strengthen their self-awareness and position them for continued success in their careers.
The weekend wrapped up with a final yarning circle, where both the specialist trainees and pre-vocational doctors reflected on the workshop and discussed how future AIDA STSP workshops could better support their careers. This joint session allowed everyone to come together and share their feedback, building a sense of unity and shared experience between both groups.
Outside of the formal sessions, the group gathered for dinner on Saturday night, where some of the specialist trainees brought their families along. Everyone shared food, stories, and laughter in a relaxed setting deepened the connections made during the weekend, reinforcing the importance of family, culture, and shared experiences.
The overall energy of the group remained strong throughout the weekend, with plenty of laughter, encouragement, and cultural sharing. By the end of the weekend, all participants left feeling supported, more confident, and uplifted by the knowledge, culture, and connections they made. The Port Stephens STSP workshop provided both personal and professional growth, helping everyone move forward with clarity, confidence, and cultural pride.