Becoming a paediatric speech pathologist was a calling for Lucy Husband. A calling rooted in community, culture, and connection. As a proud Aboriginal woman working in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Lucy's journey through the Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship has been deeply rewarding.
Lucy received her cadetship in 2022 and is now two years out of university.
“It led into a permanent role," she says. “There were challenges and rewards along the way, but now I'm working with Aboriginal communities like I've always wanted to. I've been heard and listened to – it's a bit magical, really. I've always dreamed of working with mob."
The cadetship gave Lucy more than just a job; it gave her a platform to grow.
“I've developed clinical skills, leadership skills, networking skills, and even learned how to be an activist," she explains.
“I've had the chance to see the side of the business that not everyone gets to be involved in. Being Aboriginal and passionate about my community has shaped my experience."
Lucy also credits the program with helping her academically. “It's very flexible and works around you. It can feel daunting because you already have a big load – balancing work, full-time study, community roles, family and friends, but the cadetship was an adjunct to my studies and it actually helped me succeed at uni."
Lucy's decision to pursue speech pathology was driven by a desire to support Aboriginal children.
“I always wanted to work with mob and saw gaps in education and healthcare. Speech pathology sits right in the middle, where you can work in both spaces." Lucy Husband (2022 Aboriginal Allied Health Cadet)
Her twin sister, who studied occupational therapy, gave her the final push. “It was a family decision, really. Community and family are everything."
One of the most meaningful aspects of the cadetship for Lucy was being allocated a cultural mentor. “It's a massive part of the program. I've stayed in touch with Aunty and Uncle from the rural health district, and I still work with my cultural mentor in my current district. That connection has been so grounding."
She also shared a light-hearted memory from the start of her cadetship. “My twin sister Anna and I applied for the same rural position. At first, they said they were only offering one spot, so we decided to go up against each other. They ended up taking us both! We actually thought we were volunteering. When we got our first paid placement, we thought they'd made a mistake – we genuinely just wanted the rural experience."
For Lucy, culturally safe care begins with self-awareness. “It's about acknowledging your biases. Everyone has them. You can't group a community as one identity or assume things about people. That's hard for healthcare workers because most want to do the best by their patients. But we have to learn to listen. Patients will tell us what they need and lead us in the right direction."
She also wants more people to understand the value of diversity in allied health. “Every culture and religion has something amazing to bring to the table. If we lean into those individual strengths, we can make real progress."
Applications for the 2026 Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship program are now open for eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in their final two years of study.
Find out more at NSW Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetship – Online Application App.