Media releases

More than 200 Federation University Australia students will celebrate their achievements at graduation ceremonies in Gippsland and Berwick this week.

They will be among more than 650 graduates across the University’s campuses to mark the academic milestone in front of family, friends and classmates in October.

Among them will be University Medallist Jessica Obersby, who completed a Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science, achieving a grade point average of 7.0 and becoming a mentor to her fellow students, particularly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jessica began studying at Gippsland after working as a teacher and an editor in Melbourne.

“I’ve always cared about the environment, and I guess being back in the country and seeing it again and feeling like ‘I need to protect this’, is what led me to the course,” Jessica said.

“The lecturers were amazing, so willing to share their knowledge.”

As part of her studies, Jessica participated in Federation’s international exchange trip to Nepal through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan and completed an industry placement at Latrobe City Council.

“I was so lucky to receive scholarships like the Latrobe City Trust Jean Galbraith Memorial Rotary Scholarship and the New Colombo Plan, it really does make a difference when you study full time.

"The University has built a great relationship with the National Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal, they were so welcoming, and the way they do environmental conservation with so much community involvement is amazing."

Jessica is now planning to study a Master of Applied Science with Federation in 2024.

At Berwick’s graduation ceremony on 25 October, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) student Natasha Haidar will deliver the graduation address to her peers, reflecting on their journey alongside one another with the support of their families.

“I’ve always had a passion for working with children and through study I’ve really found a passion for supporting their development, their social skills and building on their interests,” Natasha said.

“I found the course really interesting and the placements beneficial and you’ve always got the support from your lecturers.”

Natasha is already working in the early education sector as a 3-4-year-old kinder teacher and plans to move into a 4-5-year-old kinder teaching role.

Quote attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley
“Graduations are a special time for the University and our students can take immense pride in all they have achieved.”

“They are graduating with the skills and knowledge employers need and we cannot wait to watch them carry on Federation’s purpose of transforming lives and enhancing their communities.”