- Charles Sturt University held ceremonies during its December 2022 graduation season in Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday 13 December
- More than 280 graduates celebrated the completion of their courses with more than 920 guests in attendance
- Graduates received degrees across an array of disciplines, including in allied health, nursing, social work and arts, education, business, psychology and more
Charles Sturt University allied health graduates have just received their testamurs but are already making an impact in their chosen fields and filling skills shortages in the industry.
Graduates attended in full academic regalia with family and friends, basking in their educational achievements after persevering through the unprecedented period of a global pandemic and a slew of catastrophic weather events that swept the nation and beyond.
Out of the 286 graduates in attendance, degrees were awarded across an array of courses offered from Charles Sturt in all Schools in the Faculty of Science and Health, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Centre for Law and Justice, School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering, all Schools in the Faculty of Arts and Education, School of Psychology and School of Business.
Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon congratulated the graduates for their dedication and determination in achieving their goals during such challenging times.
Professor Leon noted the critical role allied health graduates will play in tackling the skills shortages facing Australia.
“Our allied health graduates will help fill essential roles at this time when our hospitals and specialist services are in dire need of more staff,” Professor Leon said.
“Charles Sturt’s outstanding record in graduate employment – ranked first among all Australian universities for the last six years – means most of these graduates are already making positive impacts in their careers and communities.
“These graduates have endured an exceptional educational journey during one of the most difficult periods of our generation.
“Having to navigate the many hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with extreme weather events that have plagued communities is a testament to their strength of character, resilience, and ambition.
“Now they can embark on the world offering their communities vital skills built from a world-class education at a time when local towns need each other more than ever.”
Master of Speech Pathology graduate Ms Phoebe Slonim taught English as a second language for seven years before wanting a career that allowed her to work one-on-one to help clients with their communication.
She grew up in Corowa and moved to Thurgoona in 2021 to complete her studies after spending 17 years in Melbourne.
“I wanted a career that I could do anywhere, including regional or rural areas as I wanted to move away from the city,” she said.
She has accepted a place in Icaria Health’s new graduate program, starting in 2023.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy graduate Mr Ronan Pritchard from Yarrawonga always knew he wanted a career in the health sector, helping people in meaningful ways.
“I wanted to help people in a profession where people open their lives to you on a deeper level,” he said.
“I want to be able to help people to do the things they want to, have to, or need to do on a daily basis, to help bring more fulfilment into their lives.”
Mr Pritchard recently accepted a job as a new graduate occupational therapist at National 360.
The Charles Sturt Albury-Wodonga Graduation Ceremonies were held at the Albury Entertainment Centre at 10am and 3.30pm on Tuesday 13 December.
Dignitaries attended to mark the occasion, including the Vice-Chancellor and senior executives from Charles Sturt University, and others such as:
- Member for Albury Mr Justin Clancy MP
- Mayor of Wodonga Cr Kevin Poulton
- Murray High School Principal Mr Norman Meader
- Catholic College Wodonga Principal Ms Lorrain Willis
Professor Leon said the celebration marked the end of a triumphant year of bolstering allied health services in Albury-Wodonga for Charles Sturt University.
“Charles Sturt University built on the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with Marathon Health in 2021 when Marathon moved onto the Albury-Wodonga campus in 2022,” Professor Leon said.
“This partnership will assist the University to continue to deliver career-ready allied health graduates with first-hand experience and industry knowledge, and is one of the highlights from 2022 we are looking to build on in 2023.”
Charles Sturt Graduation ceremonies will be held at a total of 10 locations during December, including at Charles Sturt in Dubbo on Monday 5 December, Melbourne on Monday 5 December, Bathurst on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 December, Rosehill in Sydney also on Thursday 8 December, Parramatta on Friday 9 December, Olympic Park in Sydney on Saturday 10 December, Wagga Wagga on Monday 12 to Friday 16 December, Orange on Thursday 15 December and in Port Macquarie on Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 December.
A total of 21 graduation ceremonies will be held across the Charles Sturt footprint in December celebrating approximately 2,200 graduates among more than 6,700 family and friends.
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