Every September 2024 Charles Darwin University graduate named
A road trip through the Territory’s evolving landscape convinced one Victorian to ditch her real estate career and become an environmental scientist in the NT mining industry.
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More than 1000 students are set to walk the stage and receive their awards this week at Charles Darwin University's graduation ceremonies.
The class of 2024 included 460 Science and Technology students, 637 Arts and Society students, and 415 Health students.
Bachelor of Environmental Science student Kate Ostle loved the experience her degree afforded her – including field trips to K’gari, Alice Springs, and science outreach programs in remote schools across the NT.
Ms Ostle said she was drawn to environmental science after a road trip from Victoria to Darwin.
“It was pretty eye-opening when you’re going through Central Australia and all these places I’d never seen before,” she said.
“I fell in love with it, it was amazing, I just loved how different the landscape was the further we travelled up the Northern Territory.”
Previously, she had worked in real estate.
Ms Ostle had hoped to take on a FIFO role as an environmental officer on a mine site, but has instead taken a job in the NT government’s mining division so she can stay home and raise her kids.
“I’m learning a lot, but one day I’d love to be able to go back and do teaching and inspire the next generation of people, or even look at doing research,” she said.
Sri Lankan student Heelbathdeniye Muhandiramlage A Ravijani Gunathilaka – or Ravi – said she treasured her studies in the Territory and was excited to give back to the NT community.
The Master of Business Administration Sustainable Leadership student said she had a background in architecture but had been looking to “deviate” and “go through the sustainability journey” instead.
Ravi said she chose to study in the Territory because the coursework was a “perfect match” for her goals and the NT offered a lot of opportunities to grow and “embraced different cultures”.
After her graduation on Tuesday, Ravi said she was excited to dive into her new role as the project co-ordinator at Territory-grown business NTEX.
The demolition company plays a key role in recycling old construction materials for redistribution in new projects.
“My future goal is to become a project manager and contribute to the sustainability industry more and more in the Northern Territory and also establish a not-for-profit,” Ravi said.
“It’s still a dream to establish a non-profit organisation to support small and local businesses in the Northern Territory to make their businesses more sustainable in all aspects.”
CDU Chancellor Paul Henderson AO said graduates should feel “extremely proud of all the efforts” that led to their graduation.
Mr Henderson urged the university's newest alumni to “seize opportunity as it presents itself”.
“I have no doubt you will embrace the knowledge and connections you have formed and, as a result, make a real and lasting contribution to the rapidly evolving world in which we live,” he said.
“I am confident that the rigorous study and application that has brought you to this point will deliver benefits to you and the communities you serve, well into the future.”
CDU Vice-Chancellor and president Scott Bowman said he was proud to see so many students joining the university’s alumni network.
He extended his congratulations to every graduate donning a cap and gown.
“Today, you are graduating from one of Australia’s most unique, innovative
and exciting universities – a university that values the resilient, kind and
courageous spirit of its students, staff and alumni,” Mr Bowman said.
“Charles Darwin University is made richer by the diverse backgrounds and extraordinary
passions and perspectives that every one of our new graduates brings.
“On behalf of all your lecturers, tutors and all CDU staff who have guided you
along the educational path, we want to congratulate you on your dedication
and determination towards your studies or training.”
Among the graduates were multiple Doctor recipients, including Anne Martin AM and Lorraine Lesley Victorina Williams who each received an Honorary Doctor of Letters.
16 people graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy:
Wicharn Boonjindasup
Miranda Alice Booth
Octavio Andres Castano Plaza
Winnie Wenshan Chen
Joshua Reginald Francis
Kelly Astra Hosking
Timothy Paul Howarth
Amy Kate Kirke
John Derwent Lamb
Marie Lashbrook
David Keith McKenzie
Arun Senthuran Nagendra
Devika Nair
Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia
Rachel Elinda Tumminello
Raymond Chimezie Ukaegbu.
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Originally published as Every September 2024 Charles Darwin University graduate named
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