4 minute read
Breaking Barriers: Meet Papua New Guinea’s First Female Veterinarian
Dr Tania Areori’s Journey from Wagga Wagga to Pioneering Change
For Dr Tania Areori, the dream of becoming an ‘animal doctor’ started early, long before she even knew what a veterinarian was. Today, she has etched her name in history as Papua New Guinea’s first female vet, blazing a trail for future generations.
A Childhood Rooted in Passion
Born and raised in Madang, Papua New Guinea, Tania spent her early years surrounded by the natural beauty of her homeland. Frequent visits to her mother’s village, where flying foxes soared overhead, and the influence of her parents, a midwife and an agricultural extension officer, helped cultivate her passion for both animals and people.
“I have always wanted to be an ‘animal doctor,’ ever since I could start thinking about what I wanted to be as a little girl,” Tania recalls. “We didn’t have vets in Papua New Guinea, so I don’t even know how I knew what an animal doctor was. I had no role model guiding me toward this path, but I just knew it was what I wanted.”
The Journey to Becoming a Veterinarian
Tania’s first taste of Australia came at just six years old when she accompanied her mother, who was studying in the country on an Australian Awards Scholarship in 1994. Years later, in 2015, Tania returned to Australia, this time as an Australian Awards Scholarship recipient herself, to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
Moving to a new country as a young mother brought its challenges, but Charles Sturt’s support network played a crucial role in helping her adjust.
“I had separation anxiety as a new mum. I was worried about settling in and making new friends,” Tania shares. “The staff at Charles Sturt’s student services helped me settle in and navigate how things worked in Australia. The educators weren’t just incredible teachers; they created a warm, supportive learning environment where I built lifelong friendships. Some of my classmates are now my Wagga Wagga family.”
Throughout her studies, Tania gained hands-on experience in procedures she had never imagined performing. Delivering her first calf via caesarean, conducting an ovariohysterectomy and castration, and working with horses, an animal rarely found in Papua New Guinea, were among the defining moments of her academic journey.
A Trailblazer for Future Generations
“When I started out, I didn’t know I would be the first female vet in my country. I was just a young woman chasing my dreams,” Tania reflects. “Now that I understand the significance of this milestone and how tough the journey has been, I want to inspire and encourage both women and men from my home country to do the same.”
With a severe shortage of veterinarians in Papua New Guinea, the ability to sustain animal health programs and detect potential exotic and zoonotic diseases remains a challenge. Tania is determined to use her qualifications to contribute to animal and public health services and build capacity in veterinary care.
“I want to make people, especially those in the Pacific who are interested in this field, aware that studying veterinary science is possible,” she says. “There is always a way. Just keep asking, searching, and pursuing.”
A Vision for the Future
Tania’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose. As she steps into her role as a pioneering veterinarian, she hopes her journey will serve as an inspiration for aspiring vets in Papua New Guinea and beyond.
The educators weren’t just outstanding teachers; they created a warm, supportive learning environment where I built lifelong friendships. Some of my classmates are now my Wagga Wagga family.
— Dr Tania Areori
From Wagga Wagga to Papua New Guinea, Tania’s journey is not just about breaking barriers. It’s about building a future where more young women and men can follow their dreams in veterinary science.
