Not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is now recruiting its next First Nations Nutrition Cadet – a unique ‘learn and earn’ opportunity designed to kickstart a career in health and nutrition while making a positive impact in remote communities.
Following the success of its inaugural Nutrition Cadet La’shauna Nathaniel, CEQ is now encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants with a passion for health, wellbeing, and community to apply for this paid developmental role.
The cadetship, delivered in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland through the Gather and Grow healthy stores initiative, offers the chance to work alongside CEQ’s Store Nutritionist and Nutrition and Health team, visiting stores across the Torres Strait, Cape York, the Lower Gulf, and Palm Island. “This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about community and nutrition to gain hands-on experience in remote health promotion while earning and learning,” said CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes.
“Torres Strait Islander student La’shauna is a shining example of what the program can deliver.”
La’shauna started as a Nutrition Cadet with CEQ and is now thriving as a university student studying a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – all while continuing to contribute to CEQ through its new Vacationer Program.
“This initiative allows cadets to return to us during university breaks to work on short-term projects and maintain their connection to CEQ and the communities we serve,” said Mr Dykes.
Ms Nathaniel has returned to CEQ this July to work in the Nutrition & Health team supporting NAIDOC events on Masig (Yorke Island), support health promotion activities at junior league events in Bamaga and Waibene and assist with nutrition data analysis projects.
In more good news, she recently received her Semester 1 results – and passed.
“Semester one at university is always tough, so we are incredibly proud of her achievements,” said Mr Dykes.
Reflecting on her cadetship, Ms Nathaniel said she enjoyed every opportunity to engage with communities, and across the different teams within CEQ – especially her own Nutrition and Health team, and the Engagement team.
“The support I’ve received from CEQ, especially during the transition to university, was overwhelming and meant so much to me,” said Ms Nathaniel.
“The cadetship helped build my confidence and made the university experience feel less daunting.
“It gave me a strong understanding of cultural food systems, which has been incredibly useful in my studies – especially in units that emphasise cultural consciousness when working with patients or clients,” she said.
“Working in a professional setting, meeting community members, and observing nutrition in practice in community retail settings really brought everything to life.
“It was as though I was starting to connect the dots between what I’d seen in the cadetship and what I was now learning in class.”
Applications for the Nutrition Cadet position are now open via SEEK and close on Saturday, 12 July: seek.com.au/job/84890798.
CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula and in Doomadgee and on Palm Island through its 31 stores. CEQ manages the Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones and Community Home and Hardware, and Mona’s Bazaar and Mitre 10 on Waibene.
