“Stepping into the NT pushed me out of my comfort zone, and that’s exactly why I grew.”
When a dietitian student Jenny Gray arrived at Katherine for her community and public health placement, she didn’t know much about the region. “I wanted to learn from being there rather than rely on assumptions.” Only months later, she received a major recognition for her placement achievements.
A multitude of pathways
Jenny is in her final year of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) with Flinders University in Adelaide. Most of her time she spent on completing placements and now she focuses on her honours project. She enjoys her field because of its diversity. “There are so many paths in clinical, food service and community settings. I love that you can specialise within any of them.”
Taking on the NT experience
In Katherine, a typical day started with a short walk, gym session or coffee, thanks to town’s small size and easy pace. She and her peer would then join the Big Rivers Community Allied Health Team for morning huddle before heading into community education sessions, cooking programs or planning culturally responsive activities. “We always checked our plans with our supervisor to make sure they were safe, respectful and relevant.”
Learning on Country
Jenny says her most powerful experience was a remote visit to Borroloola. “We ended up at the riverbed with Indi Kindi, sitting on Country, yarning and listening. I learnt about traditional fishing practices and how food is shared. It showed me that nutrition care is about partnership, trust and reciprocity.”
She credits her supervisor for modelling this approach. “She understood community relationships so deeply. Her practice was thoughtful because it was grounded in connection.”
Recognition and what comes next
Jenny’s growth was recognised with the Trisha Maroney Memorial Prize, awarded to a student who completes placement in Katherine and demonstrates outstanding self-reflection and improvement in culturally safe practice. “It means a lot because my time in Katherine shaped who I am becoming as a practitioner.”
Jenny has accepted an Early Career Dietitian role in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network and hopes to specialise in gastrointestinal conditions. She also sees a future in community work. “I’d encourage anyone to choose an NT placement. Be open to new experiences. You’ll learn more than you expect.”