A year of innovation, success and defying challenges

Inspired by the world-renowned work of our academics, USC’s Fraser Coast campus has become a hub for a growing number of graduates and professionals wanting to make a difference by embarking on research through Honours, Masters or PhD streams.

The Fraser Coast’s diverse natural environment was the focus of pioneering ecological USC research, including an aerial drone study providing new insights about humpback whales and the sharks that prey on them.

Supported by a $26,000 grant from Fraser Coast Regional Council, PhD student Manda Peterson is monitoring seasonal fluctuations in animal numbers, whale behaviour and interaction between sea creatures.

One of the world’s most distinctive and endangered rays, sawfish, are the subject of collaborative research between PhD student Nikki Biskis and Sharks and Rays Australia (SARA).

Sawfishes have lost more than half of their habitat worldwide, and fears are they will “vanish quickly” without intervention.

A world-first study by USC PhD candidate Caitlin Smith examined how toxic chemicals from ingested microplastics are harming Australia’s marine turtles.

Supervised by Associate Professor Kathy Townsend, the research involved capturing turtles off the coast of Queensland, taking blood, tissue and shell samples before releasing them back into the wild.

“This is game-changing research,” said Dr Townsend. “Previously it was really difficult to gauge if live animals had been exposed to plastics because the only efficient method was to conduct necropsies on dead turtles.”  

Globally renowned for leading the charge against marine debris and its impacts on wildlife, Dr Townsend also studied the effects of single-use plastics during the pandemic.

Dr Townsend observed that items such as discarded gloves and facemasks “became the symbol of the coronavirus”, offsetting a drop in debris from other sources as people experienced restricted movement.

Students and researchers also tracked the impact of Queensland’s ban on plastic bags by monitoring the marine debris found inside dead sea life in waters off the Fraser Coast and South-East coast. The findings will be used to mitigate the long-term environmental effects of COVID-19 and subsequent pandemics.

Dr Townsend has also worked on analysing the amount of plastic appearing in bird nests over the past two centuries.

Hammerhead sharks are the subject of another world-first study at the Fraser Coast, with Dr Bonnie Holmes assessing great hammerhead movements across estuaries and oceanic waters, with particular focus on how the sharks utilise both Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay.

Business and marketing academics formed research partnerships with industry groups, including Fraser Coast Tourism and Events.

A number of local schoolteachers also embarked on Higher Degree by Research programs through USC’s Fraser Coast campus, working to bring regional issues and solutions to the forefront of Australian educational research.

USC was named the nation’s best for something we love doing – helping to create real change across our communities by giving back.

Our ‘G-Day’ fundraising campaign was awarded ‘Best fundraising campaign – small team’ by Universities Australia after raising almost $280,000 to find solutions for mental health challenges, help koalas devastated by bushfires and disease, and support financially disadvantaged students. 

Director of USC’s Development Office Russell Ousley said the message for this year’s Giving Day was that kindness could change everything. “And thanks to the incredible generosity of USC alumni, staff, supporters and friends, we showed just what a difference we could make across three key areas of need.”

‘Anything is possible’ was the inspiring message a Fraser Coast mother-of-five shared in an address as USC staged its largest ever Fraser Coast graduation ceremony at Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre in April.

Christina Buchan, who left school after Year 10, received a prestigious University Medal for Academic Excellence and a Student Leadership when she graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Science. She is now working as a graduate nurse with Queensland Health.

Describing her university experience at USC’s Fraser Coast campus as transformative, Christina said she never thought of herself as an “academic person.”

“I spent 24 years raising my children and working as a part-time waitress, retail assistant and a family day care educator. I had previously enrolled twice but didn’t begin because I could not face my fear of failing,” she said.

“It was the education and support that USC provided that strengthened and scaffolded my beliefs which transformed me into a better version of myself.”

Having graduated from USC alongside each other, Indigenous father-daughter duo Mark and Rhiannon Lowe are excited to be making an impact on the fronts of mental illness and education.

Since gaining a degree in Nursing Science, Mark has taken on a specialised nursing role in Maryborough Hospital’s Mental Health Unit, while past Xavier Catholic College student Rhiannon is working at a school on Brisbane’s outskirts.

“I thought the chance to share the graduation experience with Rhiannon could be something really special – and it was,” said Mark.

Both of the Lowes incorporated the colours of the Aboriginal flag into their outfits for graduation day.

Inspired to make a difference in mental health and wellbeing, fellow USC Fraser Coast graduates Sarah Neisler of Hervey Bay and Chloe Cassidy from Maryborough undertook a Bachelor of Social Work.

Ms Neisler said she grew up watching her parents contribute to the community, helping people learn and grow, and she wanted to assist those in the region who were struggling.

Ms Cassidy had similar sentiments, and added that studying at USC Fraser Coast allowed her the opportunity to remain close to family and friends and continue working full-time at the same time.

Meanwhile, a deep sense of destiny drove Sharlea Nicholson to devote her life to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The recipient of a USC Leadership Award upon graduation from the Bachelor of Nursing Science, she continues to be motivated by closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes.

“I identified a lack of Aboriginal nurses working in health care and felt that by gaining clinical qualifications, I could support my people in improving their wellbeing,” she said.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the dire impacts of chronic health conditions on my family, been confronted with the harsh reality of a shortened life expectancy for my people, and I have seen the pain and suffering my family have gone through in losing a close family member to suicide.

“I want to show my young daughters that they too can aspire to be whatever is in their heart’s desire.”