Alison Weyman has just graduated from a Bachelor of Nursing at UOW Eurobodalla.
Based in Moruya with her family, Alison has been an outstanding student, graduating with distinction while also a mother of three children, and will now be working in the palliative care unit at Moruya Hospital.
Alison started studying at the UOW Batemans Bay campus in 2020, after the fires and start of Covid.
“It’s a small campus and we are lucky to have it here,” said Alison. “There are lots of mature age students, many of whom still have family commitments, but it’s a very supportive environment.”
A long time Moruya and Dalmeny resident, Alison finished school at Carrol College 2003. After an exchange year, she lived in Canberra, Wollongong and UK.
Nursing wasn’t always Alison’s passion, however when her father-in-law Ack was unwell, Alison was on maternity leave and took time to help the family looking after him.
“It sparked my interest in nursing” said Alison. “To give someone dignity at that time of life is special.”
Alison did her clinical placement in Oncology at Moruya Hospital.
·“It is a privileged position to go on the journey with the patients” she said.
After having a little break till July Alison will start work at Moruya or Batemans Bay Hospital.
Alison said “of the 15 students who graduated with her, two thirds are staying local, which is great for the community.”
More than 125 students from Shoalhaven in the north to Bega Valley in the south, and stretching west to the Southern Highlands, will mark the completion of their studies at UOW.
UOW Bega Valley will celebrated 30 graduates on 23 January at Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre. On Wednesday 24 January), UOW Eurobodalla held its ceremony, with 24 graduates, at Bay Pavilions in Batemans Bay.
Mother and daughter Holli and Nicole Pritchard also each graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from UOW Eurobodalla. Nicole, who had begun the degree a few years earlier and withdrew due to family responsibilities, decided to study alongside Holli once she had completed high school.
UOW Chancellor Michael Still, who was the Presiding Officer of the academic procession during all three ceremonies, said regional graduations were a wonderful way to begin the new year.
Photos: Michael Gray.