Dr Justin Hunter, a Wiradjuri man based in New South Wales, is a general practitioner (GP) with the Royal Australian Navy. The pathway into medicine for the AIDA member has been anything but conventional, beginning decades earlier with a career as a medic in the Australian Defence Force.
A pathway through service
“I started as a medic back in the 90s,” he recalls. “That sort of really spurred my interest.”
Working as a medic sparked Justin’s curiosity about medicine and the role healthcare professionals play in high-pressure environments. Determined to build on that experience, he went on to train as a registered nurse and began working in emergency departments.
It was during those long shifts in the emergency department that he began to imagine a different future.
“I think when I was an emergency nurse working in emergency, all those long shifts, working with a lot of the FACEMs, which are the emergency doctors, I just went, ‘Wow, I could actually do that job.’”
Justin continued expanding his clinical skills, becoming one of the early students to complete the physician assistant master’s program introduced in Australia through the University of Queensland.
The experience allowed him to build on his emergency and military healthcare background before eventually studying medicine – he graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2017.
Representation in practice
For Justin, one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession is the opportunity to care for a wide range of patients.
As an Aboriginal doctor working within Defence, Justin says the connection he shares with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel can be particularly meaningful. Many seek him out not only for medical care but also for guidance and support.
“I have a lot of Indigenous members that like to come and see me from all the three services.”
He says the impact of representation in healthcare can be immediate.
“As soon as you say that you’re an Aboriginal doctor to your patients, you just see their eyes light up.”
“You see that trust factor; you see all that, and it’s so powerful and so emotional.”
That connection continues to motivate him in his work.
“I think that just spurs me even further to stay in this job as long as I can.”
A trusted voice
One moment that stands out came during his time as the ship’s doctor on HMAS Canberra. As he moved through the ship, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel greeted him warmly.
“They were walking around the ship saying, ‘Unc, how are you going? Good morning, Unc.’”
When a senior officer asked about the nickname, Justin explained its significance.
“I said it’s a respect thing; I’m a doctor, I am an Elder, and I’m getting older now.”
Being known as ‘Unc’ reflects more than familiarity. For many personnel, it signals someone they can trust and turn to when they need support.
“Even recently, I had a text message from one of our Aboriginal members in the Navy, ‘Hey Unc, I’m in trouble. I really need some help.’”
Community and support
Justin says that strong mentors and professional networks have played a crucial role throughout his journey into medicine.
During his studies, he was introduced to the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association through a mentor at the University of Notre Dame, connecting him with a wider Community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and medical students.
He also acknowledges the support of the Indigenous GP Registrar Network and mentors who helped guide him through medical training.
“I would not be standing here today if it weren’t for Dr Josie Guyer, Dr Olivia O’Donoghue and the support of AIDA.”
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