News

Two of our 2017 Stars graduates have been providing inspiration to younger Stars in their roles as trainees at Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin.

Stars graduates, Raelene Collins and Tasha Cole, recently had the opportunity to show some of our current Stars students around their new workplace.

“It was good, in a weird way,” said Raelene, who led a laboratory tour for four Stars students from Casuarina Senior College.

“I knew some of them looked up to me when we were still at school and it was great to be able to let them know what they can do when they finish school.”

Raelene was also excited to be able to demonstrate to the girls her knowledge of operating the medical equipment used by HealthLAB, Menzies’ mobile health promotion and education program.

While undertaking their traineeships, both Raelene and Tasha are also completing a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills.

Both said they are enjoying their roles within Menzies – Tasha working with the melioidosis research team and potentially the rheumatic heart disease team, and Raelene with the medicinal plants project and HealthLAB team.

“It’s been really interesting to learn new things and develop skills,” said Tasha, who has plans to pursue a nursing qualification in the future.

“A few weeks ago, I was working on a goat’s brain. The goat had died of melioidosis and we were had to run some tests.”

Stars Foundation’s Transitions Manager, Jason Greene, said the visits to Menzies provided the current Year 12 Stars students with a great opportunity to look at potential career pathways in health and research.

“Our goal is to show our Stars students as many workplaces as possible, so they can make informed decisions about their future careers,” he said.