Renee Blackman

Who are you?

I am a Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Mount Isa Hospital in Indigenous nursing and chronic disease.

What do you remember most about the ARLP?

I learned and experienced first hand that confl icting agendas can be valuable and constructive - as long as you have a purpose, and the willingness to reach common ground so that communication to occur.

How have you changed as a result of the program?

The most profound and life changing realisation was getting to know and trust myself in making decisions and leading change. I now know I can make a difference and constructively contribute to positive outcomes in the community in which I live.  I work in chronic disease, and change is necessary for people to remain or become healthy. The ARLP has given me the opportunity to see things strategically. I now approach the implementation of anything new taking a ‘birds eye’ view of issues and situations. I have learned to always consider the human element of the situation and think about how it will affect the lives of people around me.  I work in an isolated area with limited access to the coast and technical expertise where the mine is the lifeblood of the town and where prejudice towards women and aboriginal people is commonplace. These issues are a challenge and there are obstacles to overcome but the ARLP taught me that diversity of opinion is a good thing, but finding the common ground can make our community a better place. That holds us together and will eventually foster the advancement of the remote community in which I live.