• Hard work earns a University Medal for a Charles Sturt University postgraduate
• The Wodonga resident says her passion for the environment and the Australian High Country in particular contributed to her academic achievements
• Her advice to future students is plan ahead with assignments, and be flexible

Dr Alison Hayman (pictured) has just completed a Master of Environmental Management (Natural Resources) by coursework in the Charles Sturt School of Environmental Sciences, which she completed over three years of part-time study.

“My master’s by coursework focused on environmental management, conservation and sustainable management of natural resources and enabled me to reconnect with and build skills in fields that I am passionate about,” Dr Hayman said.

“I have a passion for the Australian High Country, and this region was the focus in many of my assignments.

“I am proud to have been awarded the University Medal, which is recognition for my hard work and subsequent results.”

Dr Hayman grew up in Melbourne, has lived in a number of eastern Australian locations, in particular in northern NSW and the Victorian triangle towns of Buxton, Marysville and Narbethong, and now lives in Wodonga on the NSW-Victoria border.

She said chose to study at Charles Sturt University due to its good reputation and close proximity to where she was living.

“Following the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in February 2009 and my consequent unplanned relocation to Wodonga, I eventually returned to study with Charles Sturt University to follow my passion for environmental management,” Dr Hayman said.

“Being a distance education student and living in Wodonga I lived off campus, although I attended campus for some classes, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) where I benefitted from the interactive lab classes.”

Dr Hayman has previously completed an Honours degree in economics, a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management, a master’s and PhD in environmental management by research, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Diploma of Education (P1-P12).

She explained that the material covered in the two master’s courses and her PhD were quite different.

“My first environmental master’s courses and PhD focused on coastal areas as I was residing in these areas during that period and both were research based, with the PhD focused on the environmental management of mangroves along the east coast of Australia,” Dr Hayman said.

“However, following Black Saturday and changed circumstances which ensued, I was forced to abandon my combined passion for cross-country skiing and teaching outdoor education.

“Now that I live in inland Victoria and away from the immediate vicinity of the ski fields, I eventually had to re-evaluate and retrain to suit life’s changed circumstances. Not having undergraduate environmental science studies, I approached Charles Sturt University which suggested a master’s by course work would be most suitable.”

Dr Hayman presently operates a small sole trader business, Hayman’s Maps, producing 4WD and tourist maps.

She is also a volunteer with Parklands Albury-Wodonga (PAW), as a board member and in the field.

“Being a member of PAW has enabled me to observe and implement natural resource management practices, which has proved a valuable complement to my studies at Charles Sturt University,” she said.

After graduation Dr Hayman hopes to work in natural resources management or conservation, in an area that she feels passionate about, which enables her to continue to build her skills and competencies while valuing her achievements so far.

“My advice for future students is to plan ahead with assignments, although anticipate further input from lecturers as assignment-due dates approach, and therefore to be flexible in adapting your responses,” Dr Hayman said.

Charles Sturt remains committed to rescheduling its 2020 graduation ceremonies in 2021, with dates to be announced when COVID-19 restrictions allow.