First Nations cousins a step closer to doctor dreams
Two First Nations cousins and doctors-to-be crossed the stage at the graduation ceremony in Rockhampton as they completed the first leg of their seven-year study journey to practicing medicine.
Tylin Guthrie and Jay Warcon graduated with Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) degrees – Jay with Distinction – as part of CQUniversity’s first cohort of medical students.
With proud families encouraging their decision to pursue medical careers, the pair have only huge praise for the support they have received from their family and the CQUniversity community.
“I think my family are pretty proud of me and I am pretty proud of myself too,” said Tylin, who is the first in her immediate family to complete a degree.
“For me, I just wanted to make my family proud and give other young Indigenous kids someone to look up to.
“Growing up, I didn’t really see any Indigenous doctors. So, I just want to be someone that other young Indigenous kids can look up to and make them realise that they can achieve anything they want to and they can be anything they want to be.”
For Jay, being able to study in his hometown for the past three years has been amazing.
“Quite simply, graduating from this degree means a lot to me.
“This is really inspiring for us and our families. As both Tylin and myself are Darumbal, being able to study together on Country (as Rockhampton is in Darumbal country) has been a great privilege.
“Not only that, but knowing that we will become some of the first Darumbal doctors is also an honour and a privilege.”
Tylin said the entire experience was “pretty surreal”.
“To have two Indigenous people graduating from university is a huge achievement within itself, so to be able to do it with your cousin is pretty cool!
“We have definitely become closer over the last few years. I think the end goal for both of us was to make our families proud, and I think we have done that!”
Jay said he hopes they inspire other young First Nations students to pursue rewarding careers.
“We have shown that it is possible for First Nations people to achieve our dreams, even if they are hard to achieve.”
Jay has also been supported by a CQUniCares BHP Indigenous Scholarship since 2023.
Among the many highlights of their time at CQUniversity, the pair both cherished their close-knit cohort - and they are among 14 to graduate in Rockhampton.
“I truly believe we have become each other’s family!” said Tylin.
“You spend so much time with each other you begin to fight like brothers and sisters.
“The last three years have been filled with nothing but laughter. It’s nice to have people to relate to and who are going through a similar journey.”
The cousins will now continue their medical journey in the University of Queensland’s four-year Doctor of Medicine degree as part of the Regional Medical Pathway program.
The Regional Medical Pathway is an Australian‑first university and hospital partnership between CQUniversity, the University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) articulates directly to the University of Queensland’s Doctor of Medicine (MD), allowing students to complete the full seven years of study in the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions.
Learn more at CQU's Medicine Pathways website.
