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Monday, 15 June 2015

Vinka Barunga was one of those kids who always wanted to put on band-aids and take temperatures. She doesn't remember a time when she didn't want to be a doctor.

The proud Worora woman grew up in the Aboriginal community of Mowanjum. As a child, Vinka witnessed high rates of substance abuse, chronic disease and suicide. Determined to break the cycle, she enrolled to study medicine.

Now, the medical student has come home to Derby in Western Australia for a 12-month placement with the Rural Clinical School. Based at the local hospital and the Derby Aboriginal Health service, the 26-year-old is working to change the face of Aboriginal health – and she’s giving young people something to aim for along the way.

“If I could inspire one person to become a doctor, or to finish high school, to go on to higher education regardless of whether it’s medicine or not, then that's amazing,” Vinka said.

Vinka will be part of a panel of Indigenous students at the Future Footprints Expo, being held at the UWA Business School on Monday 29 June.

The Future Footprints Expo will give more than 200 Indigenous high school students from 16 metropolitan and country high schools the opportunity to speak with exhibitors including TAFEs, universities, education trading providers, government departments, and corporate organisations such as Woodside.

Students will be able to discuss university and training courses, entry pathways and scholarships; hear young Indigenous university students share their stories; and meet players from the West Coast Eagles.

The Expo is organised by the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia . The association aims to sup-port Indigenous students' engagement in education and to enhance their transition to and from school, to further education, employment or training.

The Future Footprints Expo is sponsored by Woodside and supported by UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies and the UWA Business School . The Expo will be held from 4.00-7.00pm at the UWA Business School on Monday 29 June.

Media references

Karen Della Torre (UWA Business School)                                     (+61 8) 6488 8538
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)                                              (+61 8) 6488 1346

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