Our Success Stories

Taylor Geary - Emerald State High School

Taylor Geary, a Seed Employment trainee, gained experience at Emerald Hospital, building confidence and meaningful patient connections. After completing her Certificate, she started part-time with Ozcare and has since moved into a full-time role.

Sophie Johnson - Ingham State High School

Sophie Johnson, Ingham Hospital Health Service’s first school-based trainee, gained local recognition after Townsville media shared her story. Her success as a 2025 QTA finalist caught the attention of Optimise Health & Wellbeing, who offered her a paid role and enrolled her in a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Work. Sophie will join the Optimise team full-time after completing Year 12.

Reagan Wallis-Sagaukaz - Western Cape College

Reagan Wallis-Sagaukaz, a 2024 graduate of Western Cape College, has achieved significant milestones in his health career. Through the Seed Program, he completed Certificates II in Health Support Services & Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and undertook a cadetship with Deadly Start – Torres & Cape Hospital. He is now employed as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) at Weipa Hospital Aged Care, proudly supporting the care and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders

Hannah DeDaunton - Seed Foundation Year 14 Alumni 

Hannah, a Year 14 Seed Student, has shown remarkable determination and growth through the Seed Program. After completing her Certificate III in Health Support Assistance, she began working in childcare while studying a Certificate IV in Youth Work. Motivated to make a broader community impact, Hannah applied for the Queensland Police Service First Nations Recruit Preparation Pathway with guidance from Pathways Support Officer, Sharon Phineasa, and was successful.

Lillianne Lenoy - Kirwan State High School

Lillianne completed her Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance through the Deadly Start Education2Employment program. With strong support throughout her training, she now works full-time as a Physiotherapy Assistant at Townsville University Hospital. Lillianne was nominated and won the Regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year awards and progressed to the State Queensland Training Awards as a finalist in Brisbane.

Tiarn Jones - Cairns

Tiarn Jones, a 2024 graduate of Bentley Park College and one of the first Deadly Start Trainees, completed Dual Certificate II qualifications in Community Services and Health Support Services and a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance through Connect ‘n’ Grow. She now works in the Speech Pathology Department at Cairns Base Hospital, supporting patients—especially Indigenous patients—using her skills as a First Nations interpreter. Tiarn was nominated for the 2025 Queensland Training Awards, and families have praised her dedication and impact on patient care.