Markeeta Douglas’ interest in audiometry started at a young age, having suffered from ear infections for the majority of her childhood.Fast forward a few years, Markeeta’s interest was again re-ignited when her four-year-old son was to undergo surgery for a serious middle ear infection.
Markeeta took the next steps to enrol at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute to complete a Certificate IV in Audiometry. The 30-year-old studied by distance education through WSI’s Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) and believes her training has opened up many opportunities for her to boost the health of local Aboriginal people.
Markeeta is now employed as an audiometrist at the Awabakal Cooperative in Newcastle, an organisation that is leading the way in Aboriginal ear health in New South Wales and beyond.
Markeeta won the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award at the 2013 Australian Training Awards. The award recognises the most outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student in Australia.