The dedication shown by a Charles Sturt University student returning to finish a law degree he started in 2016 has earned the father-of-three an Undergraduate University Medal. Mr Haydon Leigh is among almost 1,100 students celebrating their graduation in Sydney this month.

A Charles Sturt University law graduate said the best way to engage in discussions about justice, human rights, climate change and diversity is to understand the legal context of these issues.

It was this curiosity to understand and engage with Australia’s legal system to better represent core values that drove Undergraduate University Medallist Mr Haydon Leigh to finish his degree with Charles Sturt University.

Bachelor of Laws graduate Haydon lives in the Southern Highlands with his wife, Gaby, and their three daughters, aged 4, 3 and 17 months.

He was raised in Greater Western Sydney and started a law degree with another university straight out of high school in 2016. But the pressure to commit to a tertiary education was not what he wanted then so he took time pursue other interests.

“I was focusing my time and energy on other creative projects and the degree became a hindrance to those projects,” he said.

“After much hesitation, I put my degree on hold and poured my energy into travelling and writing. I pursued my passion for literature and spent time working in a bookshop.”

In June, 2021, Haydon had two daughters (his third daughter was born in March, 2023) and was ready to challenge himself in other ways again.

He enrolled at Charles Sturt University to complete the remaining 70 per cent of his law degree.

“I’ve always enjoyed the complexity of the legal system and I think it’s difficult to overstate its importance in understanding the way the world works,” he said.

“Any conversation about fairness, justice, human rights, climate change and cultural and gender diversity will have strong legal undertones and I believe that understanding the legal context of these issues is the best way to engage meaningfully with them.”

Haydon was working full-time, while raising his children with his wife, so he studied in the mornings from 4am to 7am.

“At the end of 2021, I received an Executive Dean’s Award and the Central West Law Society Prize for Property Law,” he said.

“That’s when I saw that my hard work was paying off and that it was possible to juggle my commitments while maintaining a high standard.”

Haydon celebrated his graduation on Wednesday 11 September at a ceremony in Rosehill in Sydney. He is among close to 1,100 students graduating from Charles Sturt this month.

Haydon received the Undergraduate University Medal, awarded to students graduating with a grade point average of 6.75 or higher who have completed at least 64 points of their study with Charles Sturt.

He said his wife deserves all the credit for his graduation due to the extra time and effort she dedicated to raising their family while he completed his studies.

He said being able to study online through Charles Sturt allowed him to complete his degree. He also said Charles Sturt offered unique viewpoints into the Australian legal system.

“Charles Sturt’s focus on the intersection of the Australian legal system with the issues faced by First Nations Australian people was very refreshing and offered practical insights into how we can become culturally competent professionals,” he said.

“I’m honoured to receive an Undergraduate University Medal. It reassures me that the time and effort I’ve put in has been worthwhile and will continue to help me in the future.”

Haydon intends to keep developing his knowledge and experience of the law to find ways to help people navigate and understand Australia’s legal system. His main aspiration is to be a ‘force for good’ and to help people however he can.

He advises current and prospective students to expect a lot from yourself but be kind if you fall short.

“Enjoy the process of learning,” he said.

“University is more than a means to an end.”