CQUniversity Nursing student Claire Kelly loves her hometown of Mackay but has her heart set on using her skills and knowledge to travel the world. She recently earned her second consecutive Zonta Mackay ‘Young Women in Public Affairs Award’ for organising a youth mission to Fiji. The two-week mission in November and December this year, will see Claire lead a 12-strong contingent, that will provide important services to a struggling Fijian community.
What was a recent highlight of your life?
A recent highlight in my life was teaching at Treasure House Orphanage, Fiji. The kids were absolutely gorgeous! My brother and I were teaching them to ride a bike and they kept crashing into the fence! We probably should have taught them to use the brakes BEFORE we taught them how to use the pedals. After two weeks, they got the hang of it and were riding circles around us with giant smiles on their faces.
If you had no responsibilities where would you be right now?
If I had no responsibilities and (A LOT OF) money I would be on a Youth With A Mission medical ship, sailing to Papua New Guinea and Africa to work as a student nurse, or I would be teaching gorgeous kids in Fiji or Vanuatu.
Which country in the world would you most like to visit?
All of them! Specifically, I would like to visit all of the Pacific Islands… and China again and Europe and America and Africa and India. So yeah, all of them.
Jamie Oliver is coming for dinner - what do you make for him?
Two minute noodles. Student staple, right?
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I LOVE to watch TV in my down time. Grey’s Anatomy has to be the best show in the universe (yes, not that realistic but I don’t care!).
The weekend is free - what do you do?
I love to go with my friends to swim at the waterholes around Mackay - one of the perks of living in North Queensland.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
I have met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and the Senator of Queensland Ian McDonald.
