Ambulance Victoria is marking the start of NAIDOC Week by celebrating the story of one of our own paramedics and proud Gubbi Gubbi woman, Steph O'Connor.
Steph is passionate about helping her community, especially closing the healthcare gap that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience.
"We have a lot of health issues in our community, and I'm keen to contribute to closing the gap for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities," Steph said.
Paramedic Steph O'Connor is a member of Ambulance Victoria's Reconciliation Working Group, supporting Ambulance Victoria's commitment to building strong, sustainable and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.
Since the age of eight, Steph has wanted to become a paramedic and has overcome many barriers to achieve her dream.
Growing up in foster care, she later pursued her healthcare passion by studying paramedicine while juggling the demands of raising her four children.
"It wasn't an easy path to becoming a paramedic, but I wanted to do it not just for myself but also for my community," Steph said.
"There have been a few times when I've gone to a case and the person I'm treating is Mob, and I can see them open up and trust me when I share that I'm Mob as well.
"It's great to see them become more receptive to the care I'm providing when I establish a connection with them on the job."
NAIDOC Week is an annual event that runs from 7 to 14 July and celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders are the world's oldest continuous living culture.
The theme for this year's NAIDOC Week is 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud' and celebrates the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities.
Steph says NAIDOC Week is a time for her to come together with her community and share in their history, culture and resilience.
"We are coming together to say 'hey, we're here and we're not going anywhere' and to also pass on that generational culture to my kids," Steph said.
"Once we're together, we are loud and very proud and have a good yarn."
"We are a very beautiful culture, and we are a strong culture," Steph said.
Steph is also a member of Ambulance Victoria's Reconciliation Working Group, supporting Ambulance Victoria's commitment to building strong, sustainable and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.
