Nineteen First Nations students in Queensland have developed the skills and experience for a career in healthcare after graduating from West Moreton Health's (WMH) Deadly Start program.
The graduates were joined by family, friends, Elders, WMH staff and community representatives at the program's 2025-26 graduation ceremony at Ipswich City Council headquarters on Friday night.
Starting in Year 11, Deadly Start traineeships support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with paid, on-the-job training to help them transition into a career in healthcare after graduation.
Workforce Programs Coordinator for WMH's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit, Georgia Taylor, said the 18-month program gave students a helping hand to get into roles such as administration, allied health and nursing assistance, patient support and food services.
"Our 2025-2026 trainees have worked hard over the past year-and-a-half and graduation recognises their deadly achievement," Ms Taylor said.
"But the program is also about more than just certificates; because it's culturally grounded and includes mentorship and cultural support, our trainees carry with them the strength of culture, community and family.
"Graduation is an important step on their journeys into careers in healthcare, where they will continue to walk strong and make a difference for our First Nations Peoples."
The traineeship is available in all Queensland hospital and health services, with the opportunity for students to gain employment with Queensland Health after graduating.
In addition to mentorship, graduates receive a Certificate II and III, First Aid and CPR certification, and paid employment one day a week.
"It's about keeping culture strong, supporting our students to grow in both ways - through education and cultural identity," Ms Taylor said.
"Since 2023, 33 West Moreton Health trainees have already finished the program and stepped into pathways across nursing, midwifery and allied health.
"This year, we also welcomed 30 new trainees into the West Moreton family for the 2026-27 intake, continuing to build a deadly workforce for the future.
"Graduation is about coming together as one community to respect, uplift and acknowledge each graduate's effort, culture and contribution to building a stronger and more culturally safe health workforce."
West Moreton Health's 2025-26 Deadly Start graduates
Alexia Bonner, Aliti Nona, Bella Hopkins-Rowley, Bridie Burnett, Charlotte Appoo, Chelsea O'Hare, Emeilia Janke, Krystal Clayton, Larni Hudson, Lorelle Beard, Mackayla Preece, Magenta Condon, Mia Moore, Oliver (Ollie) Grahame, Sienna Leslie, Sienna Rundell, Tyriek McKinley, Taylah Harrison-Couchy, Willow Tilling.
