A proud Wamba Wamba/Muthi Muthi woman, with song and bloodline connections to the Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal Nations, Laura is passionate about giving a voice to the people who live in rural and remote communities.
She has over 14 years’ experience working in both clinical and managerial roles for Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), including District Clinical Leader MHDA Aboriginal Peoples.
She is the current chair of the Aboriginal Land Council and a founding member of Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre.
Laura is trained in clinical supervision and has recently completed the NSW Public Service Aboriginal Leadership Program.
Laura has a deep sense of responsibility to her people and culture and a passion to represent people from minority groups and those marginalised within the community.
“My Aboriginal community is matriarchal, where women are the leaders and at the forefront of cultural guidance and decision making,” Laura said.
Laura saw the challenges her people faced accessing culturally appropriate services, particularly for those requiring mental health services.
“I want to educate others and make sure our communities value and respect inclusion.”
Returning from the city to Deniliquin when her son was three, Laura wanted to ensure he experienced his ancestorial culture and land.
“I wanted him to feel the connection I had with my family, with our kin, and I have seen much change in our community since then.
“As a single Aboriginal mother who is a part of the LGBTQI community, I have much lived experience around the obstacles that marginalised people face,” Laura said.
Being part of a growing mental health team meant I was surrounded by lots of different people from lots of disciplines, including senior nurses, social workers and psychologists.
“I had incredible opportunity to learn from a diverse group of people.”
Laura has navigated the challenges of living and working on her own country, with her own people.
“There are cultural considerations to work into your practices, many that had not really been previously noted or implemented.
“My role as mental health clinician, who happens to be Aboriginal, really has learnings for the wider community, because I see the positive impact we can make in implementing respectful and culturally appropriate services to all people,” Laura said.
For Laura, her role in being a voice for people in the bush is what drives her.
“That is why, I feel passionate and hopeful that my position on NSW Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel, my motivation to speak up, to be a truth teller, to say it as I see it, will be embraced,” Laura said.
“I will be the one inviting the city people, the decision makers, to the bush and helping them see what we see, to better understand, and to keep it real.
“I hope the voice of regional New South Wales will be at the forefront of all our discussions.
“I feel privileged to be a part of this culture and community. There is still a lot to learn,
and if I can be a part of that, of affecting real change on the ground, then I would feel honoured and very happy indeed.”
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