NSW’s first Aboriginal Violence, Abuse and Neglect (VAN) Services trainee has graduated in the Far West Local Health District.

Proud Barkandji woman Kyeesha Jones said it had always been her dream to work in health and help her people access services.

“My Nan works as a clerk in a surgical ward and I always said I wanted to work in the hospital with her one day,” Ms Jones said.

Following the four-year VAN Service Aboriginal Traineeship, Ms Jones will stay working with the service in the District, having accepted a role as a Safe Wayz Clinician.

Ms Jones has fond memories of when she first began the traineeship with VAN Services, during her HSC studies in 2019.

“I remember the day I got my name badge and being told in my interview that I would be the first Indigenous person in the team. I felt I could really grow within the team and build relationships in Broken Hill and the surrounding communities, to make my people feel comfortable to come to this service, disclose their histories and heal together.”

VAN Services manager, Sherree Farrell, congratulated Ms Jones on her achievement.

“Kyeesha is motivated by equity of access to culturally sensitive and responsive trauma informed services for Aboriginal people, families and their communities across the Far West LHD,” Ms Farrell said.

This article appeared in Wilcannia News, March 2023.