A young Kowanyama man is walking the path to becoming an essential healthcare pillar and voice for his community as he pursues tertiary education with the support of the LEE Ming Tee Cape York Leaders scholarship.
Liamon Mudd is in the first year of his Bachelor of Nursing through Deakin University, After completing his high schooling at Peace Lutheran College in Cairns. He plans to graduate by late 2026 and become a paediatric health nurse and provide health services for future generations.
Recently, Liamon was successful in receiving a scholarship for his tertiary education. He was encouraged to apply for the scholarship, not knowing that a relative of his was the first ever to receive a CYLP scholarship.
The tertiary scholarship removes the financial burden and stress of studying at university while offering a high level of support and guidance from CYLP’s Student Support Officers.
Liamon said he chose nursing because he always had a passion for it and wants to be a “voice” for his community.
“I’ve always had a passion for health and because I had that nature of caring for people and a bubbly personality I chose nursing,” he said.
“I want to give back to my community and my people and make a positive impact in healthcare – provide a health service for our mob.
“Having our mob on the ground to provide that culturally safe healthcare service means families can live a healthier, happier lifestyle.”
Having our mob on the ground to provide that culturally safe healthcare service means families can live a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Liamon Mudd
Liamon said he is pleased to have access to CYLP’s support network, to help him during his studies, and on his journey to become a Cape York leader in Kowanyama.
“A good leader is someone present, listens and offers support to those around them,” he said.
Liamon said he was able to take the first few steps into tertiary education mainly thanks to one of his role models, his auntie Tania Major who was the recipient of the very first scholarship back.
Tania was the first recipient of a tertiary scholarship which was initially awarded through Cape York Institute before CYLP was established. Cape York Partnership founder Noel Pearson personally funded this scholarship and kickstarted the program.
“She gave me the guidance and the push I needed to start my journey,” Liamon said.
Being the first of a program that hadn't even started yet was a new experience for Tania but she took it with open arms. Due to this opportunity, she was able to travel the world and see sights she had never thought she's ever see.
Tania's trailblazing journey turned into the blueprint for countless other kids to follow, showing them just how powerful education was and what it could do for them, their future and the future of their community.
While pursuing his studies, Liamon is currently working full-time at Mookai Rosie Family Health Centre in Cairns.