A heart for positive change

As NAIDOC Week 2025 arrives, suburbs and cities Australia-wide will come alive with Indigenous stories, music, dancing, art and more.

Among the celebrations is Skye Burton: a proud Wiradjuri woman, mother of three, Indigenous artist and award-winning Nursing student at the University of Technology Sydney.

She believes in the power of influence – you can’t be something without seeing it first. And for her family, friends, community and the next generation, she can be the inspiration and example they need to know that they can succeed too.

With the help of The National First Nations Scholarship, supported by Woolworths Group, Skye is already on the way to influencing current and future generations – showing that with a little support and a clear vision, you can overcome challenges and bring about positive change.
 

Skye’s journey hasn’t been without adversity.

After studying Midwifery for one year, her plans were stalled when she became pregnant with her first child. 

As an Indigenous woman and classified as a high-risk pregnancy due to Type 1 Diabetes, Skye found navigating the healthcare system often intimidating and frustrating.

It was these personal experiences that stirred empathy for other high-risk Indigenous women in rural and remote communities who have to travel for such appointments. 

Her dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner and diabetes educator who specialises in pregnancy was born.

But now, as a single mother of three, how would she be able to manage full-time study and placement hours?

Even with the help of her family, there are living expenses, uniforms, equipment, textbooks and after-school care. 

After struggling with finances and lacking confidence without a degree, it was The National First Nations Scholarship that gave her the support to succeed.

In her own words: 

"I'm really grateful to Woolworths because it's given me the platform and confidence to know I can do really well if I have the resources to do so…

It’s the difference between struggling to afford after-school care and being able to make the placement and University hours."

As an Indigenous-designed and led program, Woolworths Group is working with the University of Technology Sydney to realise the dream of a national First Nations residential college championing Indigenous excellence. 

The scholarship application process was easy and accessible; Skye recalls her sister – a student from the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research – recommended she apply through the portal on the UTS website.

This one act has triggered a waterfall of success.

Skye has received the Health Dean's Prize in Nursing for the highest WAM (Weighted Average Mark) in her first year and achieved all High Distinctions in her most recent semester – Skye is doing Woolworths and her community proud.

Looking forward, Skye believes that the more First Nations nurses and midwives there are throughout the communities, the more others will be inspired to do the same.

That’s where Skye is focusing her celebrations this NAIDOC Week. Attending the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) conference, she’ll connect with her community and hear the stories of other First Nations nurses and midwives.

For Australians looking for a place to start, Skye recommends you check out your local council website to see whether there are any local events being led by the First Nations community. She urges you to seek genuine connections, listen to First Nations voices, and keep the conversations going beyond NAIDOC Week.

Skye's journey is a reminder of the profound impact of community and strategic partnerships like Woolworths and UTS. Despite tensions in her story, she is thriving academically and is deeply committed to her community.

Her drive to cultivate culturally safe, accessible healthcare for First Nations people, particularly in rural areas, is inspiring. The Woolworths scholarship has helped remove financial burdens and empowered her to pursue this ambition – unlocking her extraordinary potential.

As NAIDOC Week highlights Indigenous cultures, Skye's story underscores how listening to First Nations voices and fostering connections can drive positive change. Her story is an inspiration and encouragement to others who want to realise their dreams and advocate for a more balanced Australia.