Hospital Hard Work Earns Dingo Beach Local Award Nod

Cassius McLeod at Dingo Beach, the coastal community he proudly calls home. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville

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Dingo Beach Local Cassius McLeod has been named a finalist in the 2026 Queensland Training Awards' North Queensland Regional Final, with his dedication, compassion and commitment earning recognition among the region's best.

Celebrating 65 years in 2026, the Queensland Training Awards recognise the apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, trainers, employers and organisations shaping the future of Queensland's workforce across 10 award categories.

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A trainee nursing assistant at Bowen Hospital completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Cassius is one of this year's finalists for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award. The category recognises First Nations students who demonstrate excellence in vocational education while inspiring others through their achievements.

“It's a proud moment for myself and for my family leading into the awards,” Cassius said.  

“It really does reflect the support I've been given and how hard I've worked towards my goals and aspirations.”

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A year 12 at Proserpine State High School with a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Cassius spends his days gaining hands-on experience as a trainee nursing assistant at Bowen Hospital. The year-long placement will see him graduate as an Assistant in Nursing while also providing a direct pathway into university nursing studies.

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With an Aboriginal father and a Māori mother, Cassius hopes his journey will encourage other First Nations students to pursue opportunities, proving that where you grow up doesn't have to define where you can go. As a Dingo Beach local, he understands the value these opportunities can provide to young people in regional communities.  

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"Being a First Nations person in such a rural, remote area like Bowen or the Whitsundays, it's really good to get opportunities like this because it is very hard as it is being out here," he said.

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Healthcare wasn’t Cassius’s initial dream but while unsure about what he would want to do after school, he decided to give it a go, later receiving his Certificate III Health Services Assistance  

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"I didn't like anything to do with health at first, didn't like blood,” Cassius said.

“I just gave this a shot, and it was actually pretty interesting."

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Working as a trainee nursing assistant at Bowen Hospital, Cassius helps patients with everyday tasks, including showering, eating, toileting and mobility. He also assists nurses in caring for elderly and palliative patients wherever an extra pair of hands is needed.

"It really does help me because I think you can take it anywhere with you," he said.

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"Especially knowing how to handle elderly patients without risking more injuries to them, just having hands-on skills is really helpful."

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He also credits the nurses, doctors and allied health staff at Bowen Hospital for helping him grow throughout the placement.

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"They really do help me, and they've helped me so far in my journey."

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The winners will be crowned at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards for North Queensland Regional Final in Townsville on Friday 31st July.  

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