Vivian Prior Christian has always felt compelled to take care of everyone in her family and to look after the people around her. Photo: Supplied.
Vivian Prior Christian, a single mother of three children driven by her intuition to look after others, said it’s part of who she is.
The Aboriginal health worker at Narrandera Health Service is motivated by her passion for others, love and connection to her Country and community.
“I was doing this work even before I was employed as an Aboriginal health worker for MLHD [Murrumbidgee Local Health District],” Vivian said.
“I’m always trying to help and ensure my people are doing alright.
“I often ask, ‘Hey, are you alright?’.”
As the youngest in her family, Vivian always felt the urge to look after those around her.
“It is what I am meant to do,” Vivian said.
The health care worker said she knew about the role even before applying for the job.
“It was a role based in the community and I felt like it was my calling because looking out for others has always been a part of who I am,” Vivian said.
“When I was successful in becoming an MLHD Aboriginal health worker, I felt incredibly privileged.
When she was offered the role, Vivian said she was studying to be a nurse and a midwife, but her life “got a bit hectic”.
“I felt pulled into this community caretaking role, and I knew I could help the people in my town on a practical and personal level.”
Raised in Narrandra, Vivian said it is important to her that the people in the community know who she is.
“There’s mutual trust, which is very important in being able to help my mob. It is crucial.”
Vivian’s role is focused on building strong foundations for school-aged children and their families.
The role involves many duties, from helping people to keep up to date with their childhood vaccinations, offering regular health checks and talking about the importance of education.
Vivan said, as a single mother of three children, she’s also learning as she moves forward.
“I can relate to some of the common things I am asked about and some of the challenges we face.
“One day, when my children are older, I hope to be able to help even more and complete my nursing and midwifery.
“I will know when the time is right for that, but for now, I feel my ancestors are telling me ‘this is where you need to be, right here, doing what you are doing’,” she said.
Vivian will soon host a community mentoring breastfeeding workshop for aunties, sisters and elders to help mentor new mothers on their breastfeeding journey.
“The course shares basic breastfeeding knowledge with us and helps develop skills that will empower our mums,” she said.
“We identified a gap for new mothers who breastfed their children and stopped after a few weeks, so we want to provide the access and support families need to persist and better understand the benefits of breastfeeding.
“I am excited to complete the workshop and gain skills that allow me to offer good support and information to help our families.”
Vivian feels it’s a privilege to contribute to her community through her role.
She understands there is still much work to be done to create change for the people in her community, and she’s ready to take on the task of making that change.
“I love my role here, and seeing and hearing that I have helped my clients in one way or another – well, there is no better feeling,” she said.
“I feel inspired by my family, my team, my elders and our ancestors that have paved the way for us.
“I love my community, the connection, the roots I feel here, the feeling I get being here. It is a deeply spiritual thing,” Vivian said.
Vivian added that re-opening the Gilgali Buraay room at the Emergency Operation Centre Narrandera on 3 August was a positive step for the community.
The room was previously closed due to the pandemic.
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