From the Classroom to the Community: Student Placements at Healthy Cities Australia

At Healthy Cities Australia, we believe that learning becomes truly meaningful when it connects to purpose. That’s why we proudly support the next generation of public health professionals through hands-on placements that turn knowledge into real-world impact.

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Shakaylah Coelho and Rezaur Rahman, both Master of Public Health graduates from the University of Wollongong, to our team. During their placements, they contributed to two of our flagship initiatives, Active In-Betweens and Play Illawarra, programs designed to help children and families live healthier, more connected lives.

Shakaylah Coelho: Building Confidence Through Community

With a background in Clinical Science and a strong interest in health management, Shakaylah immersed herself in the Active In-Betweens program, supporting planning, facilitation, and mentoring activities. She also helped update playground listings, create digital content for the Play Illawarra website, and assist with community events like Let’s Play Kanahooka.

Through her placement, Shakaylah strengthened her communication, leadership, and project management skills while gaining firsthand experience in health promotion and community engagement.

“This placement helped me turn theory into practice and understand how public health programs truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

Contact Shakaylah here:

Email: shakaylahc2003@gmail.com
Phone: +61 402 635 250
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shakaylah-coelho

Rezaur Rahman: Applying Public Health in Action

Rezaur, who brings a background in Pharmacy and a passion for community health promotion, supported after-school health education sessions through the Active In-Betweens program. He also assisted with data collection, updated community resources, and helped design communication materials for local initiatives.

His time with Healthy Cities Australia provided practical experience in program delivery, stakeholder collaboration, and public health communication, skills that will serve him well in his future career.

“This placement allowed me to see how public health works at a community level, engaging people directly, listening to their needs, and creating change together.”

Contact Rezaur here:

Email: tayefdaemon@gmail.com
Phone: +61 449 014 369
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rezaur-rahman-988b1092

Theory in practice

Placements like these are more than professional experience, they’re a chance for students to see the heart of public health in action. By working directly with communities, both Shakaylah and Rezaur developed skills in leadership, problem-solving, and communication while contributing to programs that promote healthy habits and social connection.

We’re grateful for their dedication, enthusiasm, and the fresh perspectives they brought to the team, and we can’t wait to see where their public health journeys take them next.

💡 Interested in student placement opportunities with Healthy Cities Australia?
Email admin@healthycities.org.au or call (02) 4283 8111 to learn more.