• Charles Sturt University hosts graduation ceremonies in Bathurst on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 December
• More than 1,500 friends and family celebrated the approximately 500 graduates of courses in the Faculty of Arts and Education, the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Health
• Graduates received degrees across a range of disciplines including nursing, social work, education, psychology, paramedicine, business and more

More than 1,500 family and friends are celebrating the approximately 500 graduates at the 2022 Charles Sturt University graduation ceremonies in Bathurst this week.

Graduates attended in full academic regalia with family and friends toasting their achievements after persevering through the unprecedented period of a global pandemic and a slew of catastrophic weather events that swept the nation.

Degrees were awarded in a range of courses including from the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts; the School of Education; the School of Indigenous Australian Studies; the School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering; the School of Business; and the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon congratulated the graduates for their dedication and determination in achieving their goals during such challenging times.

“These graduates have endured an exceptional educational journey during one of the most difficult periods our world has ever seen,” Professor Leon said.

“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 careers offering their communities vital skills developed from a world-class education at a time when local towns need them more than ever.”

Professor Leon noted the critical role the graduates will play in tackling the skills shortages facing Australia.

“In particular, our teaching graduates will help fill essential roles at this time when our schools 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.”

Charles Sturt Bachelor of Education (K-12) graduate Ms Shannon Hattersley (pictured above left with Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon), originally from Orange but now a Bathurst resident, is the first in her family and extended family to attend university.

Ms Hattersley said the particular moment that she decided to become a teacher came when she was 14 years-old.

“My mum passed away when I was 13 and I had to take on the responsibility of looking after my two younger brothers,” she said. “I took up the responsibility of making sure my brothers completed homework and assignments, and I realised pretty quickly that I loved helping them with their achievements.

“This also included seeing their reaction when I was able to explain what they needed to do and they actually understood it. I was able to break things down for them and teach them new concepts. I loved helping them after school and seeing them grow.”

Ms Hattersley started working at Denison College-Kelso High Campus in 2021 as a QuickSmart tutor and continues there as a class teacher in 2023.

Another graduate of the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Education (K-12), Mr Izacc Scott (pictured left with his family) from Forbes, NSW, is following in the footsteps of his grandparents who graduated from teachers’ college in 1969.

He decided to study teaching to be a positive role model for young people because he had teachers that made a lasting impression on him during his schooling.

“I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and peers, and I was extremely fortunate to have incredible mentors and supervising teachers during my practicums,” Mr Scott said.

Mr Scott teaches at James Sheahan Catholic High School in Orange and is excited to be moving to North Queensland next year to participate in a graduate program.

The Charles Sturt graduation ceremonies in Bathurst are hosted at CD Blake Auditorium on campus on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 December.

Dignitaries attending the ceremonies include the Vice-Chancellor and senior executives and academics at the University, the Mayor of Bathurst Councillor Robert Taylor, and invited guest speakers, such as Australian journalist Ms Emma Alberici who will deliver the Occasional Address.

Professor Leon said the celebration marked the end of a successful year for Charles Sturt University in Bathurst which included the recent official welcoming of IBM onto the Bathurst campus.

“Another highlight was the recognition of the University’s leadership and experience as an online education provider with its selection as a training provider in the Grow Your Own Teacher Training Program to help address the critical teacher shortage across NSW,” Professor Leon said.

“The Grow Your Own Teacher Training program is just the latest example of Charles Sturt’s pathways for prospective teachers to up-skill through a highly supported pathway.

“In the program’s first year in 2023, up to 100 School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) will receive an annual training allowance of up to $10,000, and participants are guaranteed a permanent teaching position in a NSW public school on completion.

“Furthermore, of the more than 1,000 additional Commonwealth Supported Places that we recently received for 2023 and 2024, more than 300 will be allocated to teacher education students.”

Twenty-one Charles Sturt graduation ceremonies are being held at 10 locations during December, including in Dubbo and 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; Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday 13 December; Orange on Thursday 15 December; and in Port Macquarie on Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 December.

A total of approximately 2,200 graduates with more than 6,700 family and friends are expected to attend.