Billie Robinson – Bachelor of Psychology
Research Intern, South Metropolitan Health Service
Billie Robinson’s internship through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship involved detailed research, analysis and policy development with the South Metropolitan Health Service — an important contribution that will help improve how vulnerable patients are identified and supported within maternity care at the Rockingham General Hospital.
In the final semester of her Psychology degree, Billie was looking for an opportunity to step into a professional environment. A McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship offered a pathway to do that while contributing to something meaningful.
“I’d heard nothing but great things about the McCusker Centre,” she said. “Doing an internship felt like a natural first step into the working world.”
Billie’s supervisor, social worker Porscha Sadler, said Billie’s contribution quickly went beyond what is typically expected of an intern.
“Billie demonstrated a high level of independence and professionalism throughout her placement,” she said. “The depth and quality of her work, particularly her analysis of complex information, significantly exceeded expectations.”
Importantly, the results of this work will shape how the hospital responds to women seeking maternity care who are experiencing Family Domestic Violence (FDV). Billie’s findings are already being used to inform improvements in screening practices, including how consistently patients are asked about their safety and how effectively concerns are identified early.
For patients, this has real implications. More consistent screening increases the likelihood that people experiencing family domestic violence will be recognised and connected to support services at a critical time.
“Awareness is everything when it comes to this,” Billie said. “If screening happens more regularly, it helps us as a community better recognise the issue.”
While the project was meaningful, it also came with challenges. Working with sensitive subject matter required care and emotional awareness.
“The topic itself was challenging at times,” Billie said. “But I had a really supportive team around me, which made a big difference.”
Over time, she gained confidence working independently and contributing within a professional team. Having the trust of her supervisors to manage her own work was something she found particularly rewarding.
“I was given a lot of independence,” she said. “That sense of trust made the experience even more valuable.”
The experience also reshaped how Billie thinks about community contribution. Before the internship, she associated active citizenship with visible volunteering roles.
“I used to think of being involved in the community in a very hands-on way,” she said. “This showed me that making changes behind the scenes can still have a direct impact on people’s lives.”
By the end of her internship, Billie had produced a substantial body of work that will continue to guide improvements in clinical practice. Her supervisor noted that the data and analysis she developed will act as a foundation for ongoing projects aimed at strengthening patient safety and support.
For Billie, stepping away from the project was unexpectedly one of the hardest parts.
“I’d spent 100 hours working on something that became really important to me,” she said. “Leaving it behind was definitely bittersweet.”
As she prepares for the next stage of her career, the internship has given her a clearer sense of direction. With a strong interest in research, she now has experience applying those skills in a real-world healthcare setting.
She encourages other students to do the same.
“Even if the role isn’t exactly aligned with your degree, you’ll gain skills that are transferable,” she said. “You never know where it might lead.”