As a Centrelink worker Heather Downey saw first-hand the pain of farmers struggling through the drought.
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The pain of communities and those who work the land inspired Dr Downey to complete a phD in social work.
“At the time there were lots of services to financially and emotionally support farmers and rural communities during the drought, but when the flood came – it stopped,” she said.
“I thought it was important to carry on looking deeply into issues faced by the farming community.”
For more than four years Dr Downey studied for her phD examining retirement decisions of older farming couples.
“I found there was a gender difference in the construction of retirement,” she said.
“Women tend to want to move to town more whereas place is very important to men on the farm so can cause some friction.”
Reuben, 12, and Hazel Corr, 10, were mother Joy O’Keefe’s biggest supporters as she crossed the stage at Thursday's Latrobe University Albury-Wodonga campus graduation.
Ms O’Keefe said her children had been be a great support through her degree and masters.
“I wanted to make a difference and help vulnerable people,” she said. “The children were very patient, they’d just started primary school when I started and now Reuben is in grade six.”
Julia Mynott, an environmental science phD student discovered and named a number of aquatic insects during her study of entomology – but said she’s best known for her time as friendly face at the Bended Elbow.
Dr Mynott said one of the insect species she identified, stoneflies, were a great indicator of the health of an environment.
“They’re a bioindicator and can give a sense of pollution, when they’re there it’s a sign of healthy water system,” she said.
“This campus has a great background in fresh water ecology.”
Two-and-a-half years ago Andrea van Maanen was working in chemical manufacturing, but on Thursday she cemented her dream of educating the next generation by completing her masters of teaching.
The Yarrawonga chemistry and biology teacher said at the start of her degree as a mature-aged student, managing work, two children and studying was a challenge but she soon got into a routine.