Dubbo’s Jean Brain watched her Aboriginal mother, two siblings and cousins die young from heart disease.
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Their loss factored into the 47-year-old single mother’s enrolment in a Bachelor of Nursing degree at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dubbo Campus three years ago.
It was the “biggest decision” of her life given her role as breadwinner and lingering advice from a Year 10 high school career adviser that “university wasn’t an option”.
On Thursday, amid a supportive cohort and watched by her three children, family members and friends, Ms Brain graduated “with distinction”.
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She will start work as a graduate nurse at Dubbo Hospital on February 18.
One of 10 children from a poor but “strong Aboriginal family” in Dubbo, Ms Brain wants to “give to my community”.
“I’m really passionate about Aboriginal health and health in general,” she said.
“My mother died when I was 17 years old. When you grow up knowing that your mother could die at any minute, it really impacts on you.”
Ms Brain, a descendant of the Muruwari people from northern NSW and southern Queensland, was working as office manager of the School of Indigenous Australian Studies at CSU Dubbo Campus when a “restructure” forced her to reconsider her career path.
She does not sugarcoat the experience of working full time and studying at night and weekends like fellow graduates.
The “difficult journey” was made richer by the comradeship and support of others undertaking the degree.
“We couldn’t have done it without each other,” Ms Brain said.
When she woke on Thursday morning, children Matt, 28, Kahleb, 13, and Keisha,10, were on her mind.
Ms Brain, who was “never ever told to do anything like this”, is pleased to be their role model.
“They are very much like me..determined,” she said.
Ms Brain, one of two siblings out of 10 to have tertiary qualifications, hopes to inspire others to study.
“You make sacrifices but you get there and it’s worth it,” she said.
The 17th CSU Dubbo Campus graduation ceremony involved 67 men and women who had put their future in its hands.
In graduation garb they collected certificates at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre and heard from CSU alumnus and award-winning clinical midwifery consultant with the Western NSW Local Health District, Tammy O’Connor.
Mrs O’Connor said she wanted the graduates to know “you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it”.
“If you put someone in the right environment they will flourish,” she said.
“CSU is a great environment to start your career for sure.”
Head of Campus Cathy Maginnis said “work and commitment” made a graduate.
“Education is for everybody and it provides opportunities,” she said.
