From trainee to vital healthcare provider
In the small Northern Territory community of Belyuen, local primary healthcare worker Sharon Walker is making a lasting impact, thanks to targeted training programs delivered by CareFlight.
Sharon, a proud Aboriginal woman from the Top End, returned to study in her 50s, enrolling in the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice at Batchelor Institute.
Originally working in aged care and later as a full-time ambulance driver, Sharon was inspired to pursue formal study in primary healthcare to give back to her community.
As part of the course, she completed three CareFlight emergency training programs: Remote Trauma Care, Sick Kids in the Bush (SIKITB), and Resuscitation training, which included hands-on simulations of adult and paediatric emergencies, car crashes, bush incidents, and low-resource scenarios.
“CareFlight’s training is above and beyond any other training I’ve had,” Sharon said.
“The remote training is perfect because it shows how to deal with trauma incidents using whatever resources you have, which isn’t a lot.”
Returning to study after leaving school at 15 was daunting. Sharon recalled her first day in the computer lab, learning to use PowerPoint for the first time, and the challenges of adapting to formal study after decades away from the classroom. With determination and support from mentors and classmates, she successfully completed her qualification.
Inspire the next generation of health workers
Sharon now works at the Belyuen Community Health Centre, one of just four health staff serving a community of 150 residents, providing clinical care, aged care, emergency response, chronic disease management, and everyday community support.
“In this role, you wear many hats,” she explained.
“I’m the aunty, the Uber driver, the health care practitioner. People look to you for help, and you give it in whatever way you can.”
Sharon also hopes to inspire the next generation of health workers, demonstrating the value of local people trained in culturally appropriate healthcare delivery.
She highlights the importance of having health practitioners who understand the community, can communicate in local contexts, and provide continuity of care.
CareFlight’s training programs are designed to equip Aboriginal Health Practitioners, nurses, and first responders with practical skills for remote healthcare. By providing culturally relevant, hands-on training, these programs help communities respond effectively in emergencies, strengthen healthcare delivery, and reduce reliance on external services.
CareFlight education programs are made possible through partnerships with Batchelor Institute, local clinics, our community education funders.
“Programs like these give people the skills and confidence to deliver care where it’s needed most,” said Dean Blackney, CareFlight Flight Nurse and Educator.
“Sharon’s journey shows how targeted training, combined with community connection and dedication, can make a lasting difference in remote health services.”
About CareFlight
CareFlight was founded in 1986 as an aeromedical charity with the mission to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community.
Today, they deliver services nationally. Their critical care doctors, paramedics and nurses are specially trained in emergency and trauma, pre-hospital and remote medicine and they use helicopters, jet aircraft, turbo-prop planes and road vehicles to reach and treat patients wherever they are.
They provide advanced trauma treatment and critical medical care to seriously ill and injured patients as quickly as possible to give them the greatest chance of recovery so they can resume their lives.
