Rotuman Emergency Medicine Registrar, Dr Matthew Bray was born and raised in Australia but is equally proud of his Rotuman heritage. He did not grow up with the language as a child so as a teenager he made the decision to learn about the Rotuman culture and started Rotuman language classes.
“My mother hails from the island of Rotuma and I’m part Italian on my father’s side. I grew up primarily in Australia but with a deep awareness of and connection to my Rotuman roots.
At an early age I could appreciate that for Pasifika in the diaspora it can be difficult to maintain language and culture. It’s also incredibly fulfilling to one’s mental health and sense of identity to be grounded in the language, dance and culture of your ancestry.”
Dr Bray is a member of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and graduated from Monash University in Melbourne in 2013. He’s an advanced trainee in Emergency Medicine and works as a registrar at the Royal Children’s Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and has recently been rotated to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to work in Ophthalmology.
Dr Bray worked in Rotuma when he finished his medical degree and says he was able to use the language he learned to communicate with his patients and build that rapport with them.
“Rotuma is a Polynesian island north of Fiji and west of Uvea and Futuna. Due to isolation and a relatively small population, we have developed a rather unique language that differs greatly in vocabulary and grammar from our nearest neighbours. This uniqueness is one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about preserving and sharing our language.”
This week is Rotuman Language Week, and the theme is Tutur häk ne måür lelei – the four pillars of life and wellbeing:
Måür Fak’ata (spiritual – a place of solace that gives meaning to life)
Måür Fakforo (physical – living life in all its fullness)
‘Os A’häe (psychological – steers our presence and place in life)
Hạikạinagaga (social – our connection with people)
“As a member of the Rotuman community, the medical profession and PMA, I’m so proud to represent Rotuma as we strive together to cultivate these four pillars as a strong foundation for health and life.”
Dr Bray’s favourite Rotuman saying is “Hathat se puk ma hå’hå’ se pup” meaning “Read books and pull weeds”.
“I see it as a reminder to balance academics and high-mindedness with the practical details of daily life, and to not get so caught up in career progression as to neglect the home and those in it.”
#pmafamily
Date: Monday 10 May 2021