Sunmathi Sivasubramaniam is studying a Master of Public Health at UWA and recently completed a 100-hour McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with the Activ Foundation, seeing her contribution have an immediate impact.
“I was involved in the Healthy Lifestyles Project, which aimed to support people with disabilities living in supported accommodation to improve their overall health and wellbeing,” said Sunmathi.
The role enabled Sunmathi to contribute to a wide range of activities including literature reviews, development and analysis of health and lifestyle questionnaires for residents and staff, and creation of personalised health profiles.
“I worked on reviewing existing house menus and creating new ones based on customer preferences, aligning them with healthy eating principles from the Australian Dietary Guidelines and IDDSI framework. I also contributed to the development of a practical and inclusive cookbook, and implemented dietary adjustments tailored to individual needs,” Sunmathi said.
“I also created a mindfulness resource package to support emotional wellbeing and reduce stress among residents, and researched digital applications that could be used by both staff and residents as accessible tools for healthy eating, fitness, and mental wellness.
“The internship reminded me why I chose this field: to support people in living healthier, more empowered lives,” she said.
“The resources we developed help residents and support workers make healthier choices in everyday life, contributing to long-term wellbeing and encouraging more independence for people with disabilities. The project supports both physical and mental health outcomes in a way that is inclusive and respectful.”
Deborah Aggett, National Manager – Clinical Supports was Sunmathi’s internship supervisor, and nominated her for the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award for the “crucial role” she played in progressing the Healthy Lifestyle Project.
“Sunmathi's dedication, problem-solving abilities, and willingness to go above and beyond her assigned duties made a substantial positive impact on Activ and the project's success,” said Ms Aggett.
“Her ability to foster strong connections and collaboration was instrumental in delivering high-quality care, and in her active support of the project Sunmathi directly helped improve health outcomes for people with disabilities.”
With the internship completed, Sunmathi is looking forward to what she will take from the experience into her career.
“The internship was a great way to apply my studies, build confidence, and see real impact from my work, and I’m grateful for the support and structure provided by the Activ Foundation and the McCusker Centre,” she said.
“It strengthened my skills in research, communication, and multidisciplinary teamwork, and gave me experience in co-design, evaluation, and community health planning – all skills I’ll carry forward as I work towards my goal of becoming a nutritionist and public health professional.”