More than 6 000 graduates will receive their undergraduate and postgraduate awards from Charles Sturt University (CSU) during the graduation season, with the Dubbo Campus to hold the first ceremony for 2008 from 10.30am, Wednesday 26 March. [See picture here]

There will be one ceremony for 113 graduates from Australia and overseas. A highlight of the ceremony includes the Occasional Speaker, Superintendent Michael Willing from NSW Police on the state's far south coast.

Graduates of interest include;

• Ms Chloe McPherson, who is a perfect example of success in her chosen career ahead of her graduation from CSU with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). The first Dubbo Campus student to participate in an international student exchange, Ms McPherson travelled to Canada during her CSU studies to conduct a practical assessment with Year One primary school students. She returned to Dubbo to finish her studies and add to her life experiences. “This year I was one of eight CSU students chosen to be part of the Enhanced Aboriginal Scholarship Group, learning how to teach Aboriginal children more affectively,” she said. “The best part of this experience was the practical work. Visiting several remote Aboriginal settlements, we saw first hand how bad some of situations are and what we can do to help.”  Ms McPherson returned home to the NSW Central Coast and teaches Year One at the Woy Woy Public School. “I’ve been able to put all my knowledge into practice including my Aboriginal studies. I have four Aboriginal children in my class including one girl who has just arrived from the Northern Territory, so I’ve been able to work with her and her family ensuring her transition into our school is a smooth one.”

• Travelling from Warren in western NSW to attend CSU, Ms Janet Paine has been a diligent nursing student, winning a number of scholarships along the way, including one from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. There were only two available for NSW with both being awarded to students from the CSU Dubbo Campus. Having spent the past three years driving 128 kilometres to Dubbo each day, Ms Paine has now travelled to Broken Hill in western NSW to work as a post graduate nurse for twelve months, where she is using the knowledge from her degree on a daily basis. “All the course information is definitely related to the work I’m doing,” said Ms Paine. The CSU student is committed to working in rural and remote areas in her future career.  “A lot of work in the city is specialised,” she says, “I want to be good at everything that comes through the front door.” Ms Paine’s family will travel from Blayney in central west NSW and Brisbane to see her graduate from CSU.

• Ms Sally Ellis will be awarded with two degrees and a well-stamped passport at the graduation ceremony at CSU in Dubbo.  Having completed a full-time Bachelor of Nursing degree, Ms Ellis will also graduate with an Associate Degree in Business Studies. Added to these achievements is a recent two week visit to Japan. Although this trip was not part of her studies, the University financially supported Ms Ellis to travel to Japan and visit hospitals, nursing schools and clinics. “It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Ms Ellis. “CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, provided letters of introduction which meant I was greeted with open arms by the nursing professions in Japan.” Ms Ellis visited Dubbo’s sister city Minokamo and spent her time attending nursing lectures with an interpreter, watching open heart surgery via video conferencing, and touring nursing schools and hospitals. “If it wasn’t for the University, I would never have had that experience.”