2023/2024 Aurora Summer Internships Wrap Up

As the Aurora Summer Internships round draws to a close, we expect that 64 interns will have completed an internship in their field of choice. Working in industries from law to medicine to marine biology, they have already gained invaluable skills and insight into what it’s like to work in their field of choice.   

Below, four Indigenous interns have shared their thoughts on their summer internships.  

Aurora Intern Courtney Burns travelled to Tahiti as part of her internship placement at PhysioShark. 

Courtney Burns 

Internship Field: Natural and Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies 

Degree: Bachelor of Marine Science 

Courtney Burns is a Gunaikurnai woman who completed her second internship with Aurora in the 2023/24 Summer Internships Round. She is passionate about shark and ocean research and how Indigenous knowledges can inform research methods in shark conservation. For each of her internships, Courtney has worked with PhysioShark in Townsville. During her most recent internship, she was even able to travel to Tahiti with PhysioShark to put her research into practice.  

“Being an Aurora Intern with the Physioshark project was an experience like no other. I have been able to put theory into practice with fieldwork in Australia and overseas. Participating in real research through current Master and PhD candidates within the team and jumpstart my future as an early career researcher.

My internship has given invaluable field work experience. It has enabled me to gain more knowledge and prepare for publishing my first journal article, whilst gaining fantastic contacts in the research field. This whole experience has enabled me to level up my early research career and made me more excited than ever to get out there and do some real science.”

Jarod Wright completed his internship placement in the Kimberley.

Jarod Wright 

Internship Field: Natural and Physical Sciences and Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies 

Degree: Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology)  

Jarod Wright is a Wodi Wodi man hailing from Dharawal Country who completed his internship at Kimberley Land Council (KLC) as part of the Summer Internships Round. His internship helped him gain the necessary skills and experience to pursue a career as an ecologist. 

“The internship has helped me plan my career by seeing how the KLC operates and being supported by my supervisor, Marlee (ecologist), and how that works within the ranger groups. I want to head in the direction of being a field ecologist working with Traditional Owners and rangers. 

I was supported by the overwhelmingly positive, fantastic people within the KLC who were so friendly and willing to share. I experienced amazing things, going out into the field and working on Country with Indigenous rangers and getting a view of how the ranger groups and ecological projects within the Kimberley operate. It was an incredible experience.” 

Jarod will be completing a second internship with the KLC during the 2024 Winter Internships Round.  

Emily Wooding explored Darwin in between completing her internship at the NAAJA.

Emily Wooding  

Internship Field: Law  

Degree: Bachelor of Arts and Laws  

Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba woman Emily Wooding completed an Aurora Internship with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) in Darwin during the Summer Internships Round. She was able to apply the knowledge she has obtained during her legal studies to support the Criminal Law team at NAAJA. This proved to be an interesting and challenging experience for Emily, who comes from NSW and had to apply her skills to the judicial system in the Northern Territory.  

“This internship has been one of the greatest opportunities I have and likely will ever experience. I am so grateful to both NAAJA and Aurora for their support and for allowing me to access this opportunity. I was exposed to a wide variety of different legal matters and complex issues that were challenging and rewarding. The staff at NAAJA were so supportive, and it was such an incredible environment to work in. I found it particularly interesting, the difference between NSW and NT law. I was able to attend trial, complete evidence briefs and attend bush court in Jabiru and Gunbulanja which were all incredible opportunities and experiences.  

This internship has exposed me to the complexities and issues facing Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system in the Northern Territory. It has consolidated my career plan to practice in criminal law with a specific interest in Indigenous matters.” 

Thomas Harrington supported patients accessing the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service during his internship placement.

Thomas Harrington 

Internship Field: Medicine  

Degree: Doctor of Medicine  

Bundjalung man Thomas Harrington completed his Aurora Internship at the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service in Broome as part of the 2023/24 Summer Round. Through his internship, he gained clinical experience working with First Nations Peoples in areas of medicine he had previously not been exposed to. By gaining clinical experience, Thomas grew more confident in his ability and his future as a clinician.  

“During my internship with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service, I met some incredibly passionate people who are dedicated to First Nations health. I felt like a trusted and valued member of the team, and always had someone to support me when I needed it.   

The major project I completed during my internship exposed me to different areas of medicine I hadn’t experienced before. My work was appreciated by the team, and I felt as though I was making a meaningful contribution to the organisation.  

The highlight of my internship was spending a week in Billiluna and the outreach days to Bidyadanga and Beagle Bay. Here, I got to assist with the delivery of healthcare services to remote Aboriginal communities. I am so fortunate to have been involved as I gained invaluable experience that cannot be taught from the classroom.  

Following my internship, I am feeling a lot more optimistic about my future career and hope to visit the Kimberley again soon!”