MLHD Introduces Candy Kilby

Candy Kilby has a passion to support her people to access the best possible health care, regardless of their situation.

Be it in a traditional hospital or community setting, or within the Justice Health system, Candy has seen the positive impact that access to culturally appropriate health care can make.

Candy is a proud Wiradjuri woman with bloodline connections to the Wotjobaluk and Yuin Nations.

One of nine children, Candy was part of an extensive and tightly-knit family unit steeped in culture and appreciation for her loved ones.

“So many in our community did the hard yards back then, but we all remained strong, we stuck together, we helped each other,” she said.

“The love for our family and community was always there.

“A lot of my siblings have ended up working in positions that are there to support others, we are really invested in that.

“My sister, Cheryl is on the MLHD Board, and our community is focused on meaningful conversations and action change that help close the gap.

“Inter-generational trauma still impacts Aboriginal people today with past government policies and systemic racism still an issue.

“So I feel passionate about helping my community access culturally safe, healthy services.”

Candy began her career in health in 2005 as an Aboriginal Health Worker with the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Services.

“I helped link clients who had chronic conditions with the services they needed and to also provide education to my community on how to stay well,” she said.

Candy also worked as a case manager with Dyirri-Bang-Gu Aboriginal Aged Care Service, helping people access services as part of their aged care package.

“Navigating the health care and aged care systems can be difficult at the best of times,” she said.

“But it is especially important our Elders are able to get the help they need and to be close to family and friends because our connection to country and our culture is significant.”

In 2019, Candy and her husband felt the need to broaden their lived experience and skills.

“My husband and I wanted to do something different and we both love meeting new people,” Candy said.

She accepted a position as an Aboriginal Health Worker with Justice and Forensic Mental Health Network in Sydney working in the Health Clinics at the Women’s Correctional Centres.

“The first day working in the correctional centre was very confronting,” she said.

“It took me a while to adjust to working in a secure environment.

“But I knew I wanted to support women in custody to be that familiar face and just be there for them.

“The women I encountered were very vulnerable, and they have so much going on in their lives.

“Looking after their health was not their priority, with legal matters and social welfare issues often taking most of their attention.”

Candy recalls her first patient visit in one of the wings at Silverwater Women’s.

“I sat there with her and just listened,” Candy said.

“There was so much she had to tell me, so much to unpack.

“I was so full of emotion for her circumstance.

“As much as I am wired to jump in and help with everything I can, I had to focus on making a positive difference with respect to their health and then link patients to the other supports available.

“It can be tricky because you identify with the barriers your clients are talking about, what they may have faced, and you want to offer all the support across all the areas you can.

“It is so important to not be overwhelmed.

“I covered four different Correctional Centres around Sydney.

“If I could make my patients’ overall journey more positive and their health journey a little bit easier so they can be as well s possible, then I think I’ve done my job.”

The enforcement of strict isolation rules during the height of the Pandemic was the push Candy and her husband needed to return home to Country.

“The love of family and the unexpected passing of my younger brother, Roger, in 2020 was one of hardest things I’ve had to deal with,” Candy said.

“We have five children and four grandkids and being actively involved in their lives in person became our priority.

“We did not want to miss another birthday, or another important event and I felt my unique set of skills could reassure my family and community during such uncertain times.

“I said to my husband, “This is crazy, let’s just go home, we can work out jobs once we get there.

Candy secured a temporary role with MLHD as an Aboriginal Health Worker at Griffith Base Hospital.

“I was covering a maternity leave position, and really happy to be back in a more general role,” she said.

“I already knew many people in my community, from Griffith to Lake Cargelligo, Tumut to Wagga.

“I want to make sure that this is a culturally safe place for them to come if they need to be in hospital.”

In her permanent, full-time role as Aboriginal Health Worker with MLHD, Candy can support patients link to other services they may need within the greater community.

“I love my current role, how we can support patients in the hospital.

“I feel a great sense of responsibility to my community.

“I enjoy the yarns that I have with the patients and to build rapport with them.

“It is important to find out what their issues are and to make the time to sit and listen.”

Candy’s friendly personality and kindness shine through when you spend time with her and contribute to a feeling that hers is a safe space.

“I feel being present is reassuring for the patients and I hope they can trust me and feel able to raise any concerns they may have,” she said.

“A lot of the time, an Aboriginal person will not fully disclose to a stranger, or a health professional what they are really feeling and thinking.

“The medical talk can also be intimidating and is a real barrier, so it’s crucial we are able to support the patients.”

Candy wants to inspire mob that they can achieve far beyond their dreams and describes her proudest moment as the day she graduated from the University of Sydney with a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion in 2013.

“I never thought I would achieve a university degree,” she said.

“So, it was really the proudest day when I graduated, and all my family were there with me.

“My whole family supported me to do it, to make it possible, so we call it ‘Our Degree!’.

“To finish something, you never thought you could achieve is a real-life lesson for me, my family, for my Mob, and it tells us that nothing is beyond our reach.

“You have to believe in yourself, and sometimes its just a matter of being offered the right opportunity and support to thrive and to do something you believe in.

“If I can help to inspire my people, especially the younger generations, we need them to come through and to dream big, Candy said.

“And I want all our Mobs to know that they can do it too.”

• Topics:

• Health & Wellbeing
• People