Education is key by Bella Griffiths

Education is key

by Bella Griffiths, Year 10

When I was at home last year, I attended a community event and was lucky enough to meet Dr Derek Chong. He talked about his family’s story and the importance of education. It was a NAIDOC event at the hospital and the theme for 2019 was ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth.’ Dr Chong is a senior psychiatrist and is the first Indigenous psychiatrist in Queensland. He told the story of how his great-grandfather taught himself to read and write by using the Bible at the age of 14 because he had no access to education. Dr Chong grew up being told that education was the key to a better life. He also talked about using ‘our voice’ and ‘speaking our truth’ and what that meant to him. Listening to his family’s story and what he has achieved made me think about how he works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families and has given them ‘their voice’. As an Aboriginal man he understands the history of Aboriginal peoples, his patient’s culture and as a psychiatrist he understands mental health. He was very positive about the future of Aboriginal peoples and he inspired me to follow my dreams and take every educational opportunity available. I am looking forward to attending the NAIDOC 2020 week with the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ that recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65 000 years.