Alana's milestone on road to become a 'helping professional'
Published on 27 October, 2010
The little girl who used to take hotdogs out of her dad's pub freezer to donate to the RSPCA has grown up to reach a milestone on the way to becoming a helping professional; completion of her Bachelor of Social Work studies.
Alana Dixon says she has always been a sensitive person and aware of people's struggles, even as a child.
"I have always had an urge to work in helping professions. My mum is a nurse so that might have had something to do with it. I knew nursing was not quite right for me given my aversion to blood! I thought of teaching as well but it was my mum who said I would be a great social worker, so I looked into it and liked what I saw."
Alana recently coordinated a 'reconciliation action' plan and associated group for the South Burnett Lifeline office, as the Capstone Project on her fieldwork placement as a fourth-year social work student.
"During the time of the placement I was really excited about how enthusiastic the staff at Lifeline South Burnett have been. I think it is particularly relevant for our work in the South Burnett as a great deal of our work is in Cherbourg (an Aboriginal community just out of Murgon).
"I am passionate about anti-oppressive practice and so it was fitting to be able to work on a project that is a public contribution towards closing the gap between health outcomes and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
"We have had some really good outcomes including recognising traditional owners at staff meetings; all staff at Lifeline South Burnett attending the Ration Shed and Cherbourg Museum; displaying Indigenous art in the office; conversations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff about how we can improve service for staff and clients; and developing an action plan that will be reviewed yearly to ensure continued contributions to reconciliation and the building of relationships in the community."
Alana grew up in Gisborne on New Zealand's north island and served in the NZ Army before moving to Australia in 2000. Since leaving the army, she has worked in retail and completed a Diploma of Counselling.
During her time as a CQUniversity FLEX student, Alana has most enjoyed her twice-yearly residential schools, noting that the face-to-face contact helps to foster strong working relationships and friendships with other students.
She said that having fieldwork experiences in both government and non-government contexts was also a positive experience "which has led me as a graduate social worker to feel confident in my skills and knowledge and to feel work-ready".
"Growing up in a pub has given me a good grounding and an ability to talk with people from all sorts of backgrounds, which is important as a social worker as clients come from all walks of life," Alana said.
"My motivation to become a social worker was to have the professional knowledge to work with people. I had good intentions but I wanted that knowledge to continue working with people with a professional framework in order to assist people to reach their potential.
"I also believe all people should be treated fairly and as a social worker I hope to assist people to access resources and services, especially for those who have faced disadvantage and discrimination. I also hope to educate people in the future which already in my experience helps to reduce stereotyping and marginalisation."
Mother-of-two Alana is working at the Referral for Active Intervention (RAI) program through Lifeline until the end of November and will then relocate to Toowoomba.
"I am hoping to gain employment working with families in either child protection or separating families," she said.
"My longer-term plans include gaining experience in the social work profession and continuing my professional development. I would like to work in mental health sometime in the future. At this time I am happy just to gain experience and knowledge working with other social workers and perhaps supervise social work students in the future."