6 Degrees of Study

In this episode of the Six Degrees Podcast we're joined by Anique Morris, a current student at TUC studying Health Sciences in Mental Health, shares her unconventional journey through education and work.

From juggling motherhood and full-time work to navigating the challenges of online study during COVID-19, Anique emphasizes the importance of persistence and self-value in pursuing educational and career goals.

“If you just reach out, talk to anyone around you who might be able to help and support, reach out to the uni, and there is support out there. And if I can do it, anyone can do it.”

In this episode we welcome Jo Burge as she reflects on her unconventional path to study, starting with a challenging high school experience, progressing through TAFE diplomas, and finding passion in community service roles.

"I also think it is important to ... go out into the world and see what else is there and bring different ideas back into your community."

Today, we have Janine Roberts, co founder of Midcoast Stories, who has a Bachelor of Arts from UQ, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and and a Masters of Education from QUT as well as a Diploma of Local and Family Studies from Society of Australian Genealogists.

“When I actually started to work in the career path, that's when my vision of what the career looked like changed.

That's where my career took the change that I wasn't preempting”

Today we're joined by Evan Weller, Campus Coordinator at Taree Universities Campus.

Let's get started!

This is a 6 Degrees Podcast.

“I actually really value the pathway that I took, because the TAFE diploma gave me that practical experience, I was able to really see how things worked on the ground.

I feel like each step was really essential to where I'm at.”

Today we're joined by Sarah Wilkinson, a community engagement coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Forster.

This is a 6 Degrees Podcast.

‘Most students just need that help to get them through and to help them regulate. If you can master that when you're a student, then off you go to uni or out to work, and you're self regulating yourself. You just have a better life.’

Today we're joined by Alison Trudgeon, a Special Education Teacher at Gloucester High School.

Hear Alison’s story of your how her science degree took her to the Northern Territory for a wonderful experience, then moved into primary education and then into special education.

“You need to make sure everyone's heard, but actually, when you do that, I believe you can really affect change at a more broader level. And similarly to try and work within communities, which I think is really exciting for future psychologists. I think being able to embed themselves within communities means they have impact beyond just managing depressive symptoms.”

Today we hear from Dr. Claire Stephens, Clinical Psychologist at Dundaloo Allied Health.

Let's get started!

“I absolutely love what I do, it doesn't feel like work to me. I'm still amazed that I was able to turn my hobbies into a successful career”

Today we are joined by Shelley Kurtz, Owner and Graphic Designer at Creative Shell and Art tutor at Paint with Shell. Shelley studied a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design at The University of Newcastle. 

This is a 6 Degree Podcast.

“For me it was all one step closer to my dream and changing to a career that I wanted to do.”

Today we are joined by Ashwin Singh, Psychologist at Early Connections Manning & Great Lakes.

Ashwin has a Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney, Graduate Diploma in Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney and completed the Provisional Psychologist Registration Program at Learning Links.

“I try and encourage kids, both spiritually, mentally, but also trying to get them to connect to language if they don't have it. Because there's a lot of culture in language, people don't realise how much culture is in there.”

Today we hear from Debbie Ballangarry. Debbie is studying a Bachelor of Arts in languages and linguistics through Charles Darwin University and uses Taree Universities Campus to help her stay on track.

This is a 6 Degrees Podcast.

“You look back and the things that you appreciate are the opportunities you've had to assist people. And so if you get a university education, in whatever field it may be, that gives you the skills and knowledge that you're able to use in whatever your chosen field, to assist other people.”

Today we are joined by Maurie Stack, Chairman of Stacks Law Firm. Maurie has a Bachelor of Law and Master of Law from Sydney University and is on the board of Taree Universities Campus.

Let's dive in!

"Shannon soughts out all the work placement. I've been to Forster, i've been to Taree and i'm going to Taree hospital, anywhere you'd like to go Shannon's more than helpful to get you into somewhere local. And so it sort of has been a tremendous help financially, to be able to stay in the local area and also do the work placement as well."

Today we are joined by Fiona Wilks, a current student at TUC, who is enrolled at Charles Sturt, transitioning as a Registered Nurse into Aged Care. 

"After many years, I've finally accepted that life is about lifelong learning."

Today we have Darren Mumford, head of campus at Yulinbal, who studied the Diploma of Teaching at the University of South Australia. Let's dive in!

"With bachelor of construction management, you generally don't go through the entire degree without getting employed, it's a really good degree in that you gain employment pretty quick"

Today we are joined by Taree local Brad Caldon. Brad studied a Bachelor of Construction Management at Newcastle University and now runs residential building company Caldon Group.

"Working as a speech pathologist is fantastic, because there's a lot of flexibility and I get the time to be with my children on weekends and holidays."

"It's an amazing profession in that it's very, very supportive, very collegial, and not at all competitive, which has been fantastic."

Today we are joined by Sophie Nicholls, who is a speech pathologist in Taree. Sophie studied a Bachelor of Arts at Newcastle University, and honors and PhD at University of New England, and a Master's of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University.

This is a six degrees podcast.

"The main thing that really inspired me was hearing the kids stories and how when they had those shared conversations, it just brought them all together. And I think it when they're together, they felt stronger".

Today we have Hailey Trudgeon, who is studying a Bachelor of Community Health and a certificate in Narrative Therapy at Taree Universities campus.

'I found that studying externally helped my professional role and vice versa. Everything I did in my professional role in tourism and marketing also fit in, and informed my university degree. They just went hand in glove really.'

Today we have Val Schaefer, Community Development Officer with Mission Australia, who's been in the Taree community since 1997 to take up a job with council.

"I just felt it was time to put my brain back into work again, and so I chose a course"

Today we have Alison McIntosh, the chairperson of our board here at Taree University's campus. Alison has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from UNE as well as a doctorate in Human Geography. Let's dive in!

"I've always worked with children in the pediatric health space. So you know, the the philosophy and the ethos behind what First Steps Count is trying to achieve really resonated with me."

Today we have Clare Brennan from First Steps Counts, who is their transition manager. Clare has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney. Let's dive in!

"Every time I find that I do study, some door opens, or there is some opportunity that presents as a direct result of it."

Today we have Bree Katsamangos, Program Manager of Mission Australia who grew up in Taree, and gained an Honours Degree in Social Science and a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.

"I'm a mum, I've got three kids, I've got a partner who works away, this is not really an option for me... but I just had to back myself."

Today we're joined by Sarah Butcher, an Assistant Planner at MidCoast Council and is currently studying a Bachelor of Urban & Regional Planning. She's also a student at Taree Universities Campus. Let's dive in!

"If you've got a passion and you see that those numbers are actually creating something, it's those numbers that help people become successful."

Once again we're turning the mic on our own team as we chat to Kyle Brown - he has a Bachelor of Business from Newcastle University, he's the Producer of the Six Degrees Podcast and is the voice you hear at the start & end of each episode! Let's dive in to his University story.

"You can have it all, you just can't have it all at once." In this episode, Donna chats with Meredith Paige, who has a Bachelor of Design Studies from the University of Western Sydney, and currently runs her own design business in Tuncurry. From a bumpy start to living the good life by the sea, this is her unconventional University story. 

"That was really good at getting you decent on your feet before a magistrate." 

In this episode we chat to Josh Crowther, a Wills & Estate expert at Stacks Law Firm in Taree, who completed a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honors at Newcastle University. 

"Some of my best experience that I've gotten in my career has actually been in my hometown." In this episode, we chat to Taree local Lauran Polson - after growing up on Oxley Island and studying a Bachelor of Media and Communications at the University of Wollongong, she is now an Internal Communications officer for MidCoast Council.

"There's no right way to do it. It's just the way you do it." In this episode, Meredith & Kyle are turning the mic on our very own CEO at Taree Universities Campus. She completed a Bachelor of Business through University of New England and is dedicated to the success of aspiring students in regional communities. Listen to how Donna ticked things of life’s to-do list her own way.

"I had sort of realized that education is power." // In this episode, we chat to Grant Saunders, from Taree NSW - a DCA candidate and freelance filmmaker who received a Master of Arts (Honors) from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School, who originally wanted to be a different kind of Doctor. Listen to his winding road to unimaginable success.