National Close the Gap Day will hold extra meaning for Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate Ms Nicola Williams after her experience helping young Aboriginal people in Western NSW.

Ms Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work in December 2013 and as part of her studies through CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences spent 14 weeks with the Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation at Broken Hill.

The Corporation runs a youth drop in centre in Wilcannia, WINGS, which is the only supervised recreation option for children after school.

Ms Williams helped to develop and implement a community resilience program for young people aged from five to 18 years.

"The aim of this pilot program was to help the children in the community to develop resilience as a preventative health measure," said Ms Williams. "This involved developing, implementing and then evaluating a number of activities to develop personal self esteem which in turn helps the young people recognise strengths and resources within their community and to some degree within themselves."

Ms Williams said the placement also gave her a greater understanding of the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people.

"One experience that had a significant impact on me was a trip to the cemetery in Wilcannia. It was here that all my theoretical knowledge of Aboriginal culture and disadvantage became real, the statistics on the status of Aboriginal health, ongoing racism and structural inequality, along with the importance of family and kin.

"There were a disproportionate number of graves of babies and children, too many young people who had died from suicide or alcohol and drug related tragedies, and barely a grave of an adult over 65 years old as too many adults die of preventable diseases such as heart failure and diabetes."

Maari Ma Remote Communities Facilitator, Ms Zoe Dobson said addressing the health inequalities faced by Aboriginal people is essential to closing the gap in life expectancy and infant mortality.

 "The more time and effort we invest in the early years, the more likely we are to help young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to take positive control of their own health," said Ms Dobson. "WINGS is a very important part of that because it's a great way to get those messages through."

CSU Social Work Course Director with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr Bill Anscombe said "This type of practical placement is an example of the University's commitment to appropriate cross-cultural education and the development of future professionals through partnerships with rural and regional services."

Ms Williams graduated in December 2013 and was awarded the Lila Kirilik Social Action Memorial Prize. The prize is awarded annually to a graduate who has made an outstanding contribution to social justice through their social work placement.

She's begun working with the Camperdown/Redfern Community Mental Health Team for NSW Health.

"In this role I'll be working with people in the community with mental illness to help them to address their physical health needs through developing a relationship with a community GP who understands mental illness.

"In the future I would very much like to move to Broken Hill and thought this particular city based role would give me the skills and experience to help me to do this. That's how much I liked it in the far west".