Heath scores Wollotuka support to succeed
As a young country boy from Bourke with aspirations of being an NRL player, Barkindji man Heath Gibbs never thought University was an option for him.
Heath thought about getting into teaching, as he enjoyed his job as a support worker in a local school, but going to University was never on the cards until a conversation with the principal changed everything.
“The principal told me about Open Foundation and how he went through it when he did his degree and that’d be the way to go for me,” Heath said.
“I was inspired being in the schooling environment and thought it was a no brainer to start a teaching degree.
“Going through Open Foundation, I discovered I was drawn to social work.
“The program has given me the tools I need to help me achieve my dream to work with young Indigenous kids and show them the options available in life.”
Open Foundation is a free University of Newcastle pathway program that helps students develop the skills needed to succeed at university and beyond.
Heath said he couldn’t have completed the Open Foundation course if it wasn’t for the support of his family, his teachers and the Wollotuka Institute, the University’s support centre for Indigenous students.
“When I first moved to Newcastle from Bourke as a naive 14-year-old, I thought I was going to crack the NRL – I had tunnel vision and was completely focused on football.
“I started to get homesick and wanted to go back home, so my parents packed up and moved to Newcastle to support me through schooling and sport. This made a massive difference as I could’ve ended up as another community statistic.
“Once I found my feet, my parents moved back home and I had the ongoing support of the Open Foundation teachers and the Wollotuka Institute to help me.
“I’ll admit, I did fail my first subject and almost gave it all in. But the teachers showed nothing but ongoing support and inspired me to keep going – and I haven’t failed a subject since.
“The team at Wollotuka are the absolute best with the support they provide for us Indigenous students. They have given me the confidence to ask for help when I need it and have provided me with tutoring as well.”
Heath has now completed his first semester in a four-year social work degree.
“Once I finish my degree in Social Work, I want to move back home and share my skills to make a difference in my community or work with the young ones in Dubbo or Wellington gaols,” Heath added.
“I’m determined to give back and make a change in my community. We have to start somewhere, and I believe it starts with the kids and the new generations coming through.”
To watch the 2024 Callaghan Graduation livestream recordings please click here.
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Read more about graduation and the success of our students:
Every student journey celebrated at University of Newcastle Graduations
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Brendan constructs new life path after government career
Matilda masters expanding her health career
The Wollotuka Institue is located in the Birabahn Building on Callaghan Campus.
Contact
- Melanie Sutton
- Email: melanie.sutton1@newcastle.edu.au
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