Mr Oscar Wills is from Telegraph Point in Birpai Country on the NSW Mid North Coast. He studied a Bachelor of Nursing in the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences at Port Macquarie where he graduated in the Charles Sturt Faculty of Science and Health on Wednesday 14 May.

Oscar’s family are from Warren in Wiradjuri Country in rural central west NSW. His father is a builder, and his mother has owned and operated several clothes and homeware businesses.

“I am blessed to have received a very high-quality education at a large school in Port Macquarie throughout my youth,” Oscar said.

“I was lucky enough to have a strong network of family and friends that acted as an encouraging foundation to progress my studies and pursue my passions and I’m grateful for the opportunity to graduate with a degree alongside many of my family members.

“My nieces, sister-in-law and several cousins have studied to become nurses and love the job, and I have been told I have a gentle nature and kind personality that lends itself to the healthcare field.”

Oscar is the recipient of a scholarship valued at $3,000 from the Yindyamarra Scholarship program which annually distributes $10,000 to First Nations students from regional and rural NSW who have a desire to work in areas that will benefit the Koori community.

The Yindyamarra Scholarships were established in 2001 by Mr Roger Morrow and wife Mrs Jean Morrow and are specifically designed to financially assist First Nations students attending any Charles Sturt campus during their final year of study in the fields of education, nursing or health.

Mr Morrow said he was able to share a good long conversation with Oscar after he graduated at the recent ceremony in Port Macquarie.

“It was just great to see Oscar successfully fulfil his study ambitions at Charles Sturt University,” Mr Morrow said. “He is already employed at the hospital in Kempsey, and his future lies ahead of him.”

Oscar thanked the Morrows for their generosity and commitment to improving the lives of students, allowing them to gain the most from their educational journeys.

“I hope that one day I am in a position where I can support students in the same way, because it greatly improved my wellbeing and academic engagement, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on financial worries,” he said.

Oscar said he faced several significant challenges during his university studies.

“Balancing work commitments with uni classes and placements was particularly demanding, as managing time and energy between responsibilities often felt overwhelming,” he said.

“Learning to write academically was another hurdle, requiring me to develop new skills and adapt to rigorous standards.

“In addition, the demands of my academic and work life meant I couldn’t spend as much time with family and friends as I wanted. This distance sometimes led to feelings of isolation and stress.”

Oscar said the Yindyamarra Scholarship also enabled him to save up enough money to attend work experience placements at Kempsey District Hospital, which were crucial for his learning.

“Without this assistance, balancing work, academic commitments and placement expenses would have been significantly more challenging,” he said.

“The scholarship not only eased my financial burden but also allowed me to fully engage in my educational and professional opportunities.”

Oscar said it feels amazing to have graduated.

“It feels like such an achievement to be able to say I have a university degree in a field that I am passionate about,” he said.

“I genuinely care for people and my studies have equipped me with the skills to safely and effectively provide care to vulnerable people and populations.”

For the foreseeable future Oscar said he would like to experience as much as nursing has to offer, so he can determine the best nursing specialty field in which to immerse himself.

Asked for his advice for anyone considering studying at university Oscar said, “Absolutely, you should go for it!

“The time and emotional commitment may seem daunting at first, but when you study in a field that you are genuinely passionate about, you are gaining relevant expertise and enhancing your professional and personal life.

“Once you delve into the study and commit to the friendships that university has to offer, the time flies by!”