Meet our first Jamie Jackway Scholarship graduates

Our first two the Jamie Jackway Paramedic Scholarship graduates Sarah Evans and Matilda Murphy have completed their graduate training and they’re now out on our roads.

The scholarship is named in honour of Advanced Care Paramedic Jamie Jackway, a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island man who was tragically rendered a quadriplegic after a helicopter incident whilst on duty in 2009 and his positive outlook is inspiration to us all and his personable character has made him an exceptional ambassador.

All scholarship recipients receive mentorship and networking within the QAS throughout their studies, as well as financial support and recruitment into the QAS Graduate Paramedic Program at the completion of their studies.

Currently we have 13 students being supported in this program who will be graduating in the coming years.

Matilda and Sarah have now embarked on a new phase of their program – and are now at their stations… and they shared a little bit more about themselves, their study experiences and their aspirations.

What country are you from?

I am from Wiradjuri country, NSW. I have been placed at Toowoomba station.

What made you decide to be a paramedic? (Which degree did you do?)

I completed a Bachelor of Paramedic Science and I decided to be a paramedic because it involves all of my favourite things; people, human anatomy and diverse work environments.

How has your study experience been?

I absolutely loved studying and learning about the science behind paramedicine however I was extremely keen to join the workforce and start my career with QAS.

What has this support meant to you, your family and communities?

The support of the Jamie Jackway Scholarship allowed me to delve into my studies. I hope to use this amazing opportunity to encourage Indigenous kids to explore the work of a paramedic or turn their passion into a career. I hope to reduce barriers when it comes to accessing tertiary education.

What are your plans for your future career – what would you like to do / ultimate aims?

My ultimate goal with QAS at this stage of my career is to be the best Advanced Care Paramedic I can possibly be.

What country are you from?

My mob is Wiri, from just west of Mackay.

Where are you now on placement?

I am currently a GPIP in Mackay.

What made you decide to be a paramedic? (Which degree did you do?)

I completed a Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedic Science. I studied paramedics and nursing for the expanded knowledge and experience I could gain from the dual degree. I also found the amount of placement in the dual degree invaluable. There was no one thing that led me to paramedics. I always wanted to study in the health field but found it difficult to decide what to study. I believe it was a combination of things that lead me to paramedics, I think the idea was initially seeded in when my little brother became ill whilst in a small town in North Queensland and required ambulance, he then required an ambulance transfer to a bigger facility for care, I was grateful for the paramedics who were a part of his journey.

When in my final year of school, the paramedics degree was suggested to me, but I was initially unsure if I could handle such a job, but I relished the prospect of being able to make such a difference in my community at their time of need.

My pastor at the church I was attending was a paramedic and I had a chat to him about what being a paramedic really entailed. After, a lot of thinking I decided that I would love to study paramedicine to support my community but was still apprehensive if I was able to meet the demands the job.

I decided to take the leap and within the first few weeks of uni I knew the degree was for me and I’ve have never looked back.

How did you find out about our Jamie Jackway Scholarship and why did you apply for it?

I heard about the Jamie Jackway Scholarship through the Indigenous support unit, the Oodgeroo Unit, at QUT. I decided to apply for the support the QAS offered through the scholarships and the exciting prospect of working for QAS in my community at the end of my degree.

How has your study experience been?

I loved studying paramedics, I enjoyed going on placement in many different locations including Townsville, Mackay, Brisbane and Darwin and seeing how paramedic services were tailored to support the specific communities they are a part of.

What has this support meant to you, your family and communities?

My family, my community and I are very grateful for this opportunity. I am very grateful to have even had the opportunity to move to Brisbane and study nursing and paramedicine which was only possible through scholarships. I am very grateful to now have a job close to home working in a town full of family and close to my mob.

What are your plans for your future career – what would you like to do / ultimate aims?

At the moment I would love to continue working hard as a GPP and become the best ACP2 I can be. I want to continue supporting my community in health and education.

QAS Chaplain Clark Magele has had a long relationship with Sarah’s family, and he even played a significant role in inspiring her to become a paramedic.

The two caught up briefly in person for a photo while Sarah was completing her on-road training.

“I first met Clark when I was around 10 years old when I was at primary school as our family would see him every weekend at church and he’d talk about his cases while he was preaching,” Sarah said.

“I believe it was a combination of those stories and my brother getting sick with appendicitis and needing an ambulance which caught my interest in paramedicine.”

Sarah said It wasn’t until she was in year 12 with no idea what she wanted to do when her dad suggested she consider paramedicine and arranged for her to speak with Clark about QAS that it really became an option to pursue.

Clark said what he saw in Sarah gave every indication she’d make a great paramedic.

“Knowing her family, it was easy when her dad approached me about talking to her about paramedicine as a potential career,” Clark said.

“She’s authentic and caring and very intelligent, and I knew she was a brilliant student as well, and she’s exactly the type of person we were looking for.

“When I heard she had got into paramedicine, I gave her a nice new stethoscope to see her through her studies as I felt I’d influenced her study choice, and knowing as an organisation, we would benefit from her when she graduated.”

Sarah said her stethoscope remains very special to her.

“It makes me feel supported – I never thought I’d be the kid to finish school or go to uni,” Sarah said.

“But from the outside, having someone who saw me and believed I could do it, it was really nice.”

Sarah’s smiles when Clark dropped in to see her on her graduation day, said it all.

“It was so exciting to see Clark and it’s lovely to know I can call him and talk to him about anything too,” she said.

Clark said he was immensely proud of Sarah.

“We still stay in touch, and I didn’t realise she was the dux of her uni class, so I guess that’s why there was so much pride there – while I gave Sarah her stethoscope at a young age, even now I can see what a contribution she’s going to make.”