By Alesha Capone
MY WYNDHAM: Jobeline Madrid is a 21-year-old Tarneit resident. She is an ambassador for Wyndham Council’s ‘OneWyndham Family’ program, which consists of young people who have demonstrated ingenuity and positive accomplishments within the municipality. She chats with Alesha Capone.
Where did you attend school?
Werribee Secondary College. I did a lot in high school. I think what I really enjoyed was the leadership programs. I was also a house captain and on the yearbook committee. I can’t give all the credit to myself – the school gave me opportunities to get into volunteering and I also did the International Baccalaureate (IB). To complete the IB diploma, you needed to do volunteering for 150 hours. I joined the Youth in Philanthropy group in year 11, which is run by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. There were around six of us girls taking part, all classmates, and we would visit different organisations which did things like circus training and music training for young people who wanted to do something with their life.
What did you do after finishing school?
I studied a bachelor of science at the University of Melbourne, hoping to become a dentist or oral therapist. I also work as a dental assistant. I just really like patients; it’s really good when they tell you their stories. Mainly it’s about the patients’ stories – you’re inside a cubicle from 9am-5pm, but I’ve learned so much about what real life is about. It also teaches you sympathy. In high school, I really liked to work with everyone. The transition from working with students to health professionals has been really good – that’s what I love.
You also volunteered in the Teddy Bear Hospital program while you were at uni?
With the Teddy Bear Hospital, students studying anatomy, dental and physiotherapy, had teddy bears at locations in Chadstone and the city. The teddy bear had a zip and different body parts, such as lungs, inside, for the kids to learn about ambulances and different medical topics. We would set up a booth in different areas, sit at a table with four others in white coats and glasses and talk with children – it was so different for them, compared to playing on an iPad. They really enjoyed it.
