Although, Gail Yarran faced racism and discrimination from the time she was born to the time she was growing up, she never gave up. There were things that happened to her which made her questioned herself about her worth or if she is capable of the things, she wanted to do but never the less, with the support of her loving family and community, she grew up to a fine young woman. Gail Yarran is a fiercely determined woman. 

Gail Yarran is a Ballardong and Wadjuk woman living on Noongar country in Western Australia who's just taken out Australia's top nursing award - HESTA's Nurse of the Year. 

From the time her primary class laughed at her when she said she wanted to be a nurse, Gail has worked tirelessly to overcome prejudice and improve the health of Aboriginal people. Her colleagues simply refer to her as “The Bridge” for her continuing efforts to weave together the two worlds of mainstream health and Indigenous culture.

Gail has been also been intensively involved in yarning about women’s health, maternal and child health, incontinence and diabetes in a “women’s business” context. Along the way she has earned the respect of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and health professionals alike, who call on her wisdom to solve issues at a local and state level. Gail sits on advisory councils at Royal Perth and King Edward Memorial Hospitals, is involved in two research projects at Murdoch University, and is a volunteer Indigenous ambassador for the Heart Foundation. She has presented at universities, and spoken at international, state and local conferences, always seeking equal opportunity and parity for Indigenous Australians.