Miss Kellie McDiarmid making her graduation speech.
If you're a mature age student who's still wondering if you can manage to fit university study into your busy life, read on.
Miss McDiarmid recently crossed the graduation stage to receive her Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree from ECU. She's the first person in her family to graduate from university.
A pathway through UniPrep
Miss McDiarmid found her way into university via ECU's popular university preparation pathway, called UniPrep. At the time of enrolling, her youngest of four children was turning one year old.
"Unlike many other families I'd met, my ancestors and grandparents were not afforded the passage and pathway to attend educational facilities," she says.
"As a mature age student, the idea of studying again was daunting. Although I had feelings of excitement and determination to lead an example for my four babies watching me."
Despite the many uncertain times and lots of late nights studying amongst her family life, Miss McDiarmid says her ECU journey has been the most rewarding one she's ever travelled. One that she describes as 'turning doors of opportunity'.
The best role model
Miss McDiarmid, a proud Dieri, Arabana and Kokatha woman from South Australia, and Aboriginal Student Ambassador at ECU, says she was inspired to become a nurse when she lived with her grandmother in a remote outback town.
"My daily childhood chores consisted of boiling water for my family to have hot water for our showers in the old slab shed outside," she said.
"During this time, I met a lady named Sister June – she was knowledgeable, humble, beautiful and kind. She was the only doctor, royal flying doctor, midwife and community support where I grew up. I aspire to be half the nurse and person she was."
Onwards and upwards
Miss McDiarmid has now gained employment in a graduate program at Royal Perth Hospital and is excited to be able to give back to the community in her new role as a registered nurse.
As she said in her graduation speech, "The education and support we received from ECU will enable us to move forward and beyond, implementing and creating change, as future leaders within healthcare."
Now that's inspiring.
