• Charles Sturt University environmental science students learn from a leading scientist, meet the NSW Governor and extend their network of like-minded city students

Two Charles Sturt University environmental science students recently enjoyed the privilege of attending Government House in Sydney for the third and final Ideas@theHouse guest lecture for 2023.

The lecture was followed by a reception hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC, KC, Governor of New South Wales.

The Royal Society of NSW facilitated the lecture presented by Professor Emma Johnston, AO, FRSN, FAA, FTSE, on the topic ‘Ideas for marine stewardship and sustainability in a time of acceleration’.

Following receipt of the invitation to the University via the Vice-Chancellor, Associate Head of the School of Agricultural, Environment and Veterinary Sciences Dr John Rafferty was asked to select students whose academic interests and performance best aligned with the topic to be presented.

Dr Rafferty said he offered the opportunity to represent the University and the School to second-year environmental science students Ms Miranda Mills (on left) (from Thurgoona NSW) and Ms Laura Van Keulen (on right) (from St Albans VIC) who are based at the University in Albury-Wodonga.

“Laura and Miranda are outstanding ambassadors for the University through their academic pursuits and community leadership endeavours,” Dr Rafferty said.

“Such opportunities are incredibly important and require considerable investment on behalf of regionally-based students and universities.

“It is difficult to get this kind of event in a regional area and I was delighted that Charles Sturt University students could attend.” 

The students said they were very grateful to Dr Rafferty for the invitation and for support from the University to assist them to travel to Sydney for the occasion.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Her Excellency the Governor and to hear Professor Emma Johnston speak on marine science and the research she has undertaken,” they said.

“As environmental science students we jumped at the chance to be there to broaden our knowledge of the environmental science field and to increase our professional networks and learn more about the future of the industry we both intend to work in.

“And as regional students, we felt that it was great for Charles Sturt University to be represented at this city-centric event since we were the only student representatives that were not from Wollongong or Sydney.”

The Royal Society of NSW spans the sciences and humanities in the spirit of harnessing and integrating them for the benefit of society.