Charles Sturt University Alumni

O P E N • D A Y

🚀 Open Day is back for 2026 - and it's not just for high school students! If you're looking to upskill, change careers or build on your TAFE qualification, there is something for you.

📅 August 2026 (check link for date at your campus).

🙌 Alumni, we’d love to welcome you back! Revisit your campus, see what’s new, and reconnect with the community that shaped your journey.

🔗Link to register in comments.

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F

G E N E R A T I O N S

As we recognise National Reconciliation Week, we highlight two First Nations alumni whose journey speaks to the power of connection, culture and lifelong learning.

It’s not every day that a grandmother and grandson graduate from university together but Karen Coe and Isaiah Church have done just that.

Studying part-time, the pair completed the Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage side by side. Despite being decades apart, their shared commitment to learning, culture and each other carried them through every challenge.

For Karen, a proud Wiradjuri and Bundjalung woman, the journey was deeply personal. Having grown up in a time when she was prevented from speaking her language, this course became an opportunity to reclaim what had been taken - and to pass that knowledge on.

“I’ve grown up in an era where I was stopped from speaking my language… but I can honestly say I was so very proud that Isaiah chose to do it with me,” Karen shared.

For Isaiah, the experience was shaped by the person who first inspired a love of learning - his grandmother.

“Learning new things with the person who inspired me to love learning in the first place… it meant a lot,” he said.

Their different strengths complemented each other, whether it was navigating technology or sharing stories and cultural knowledge.

Their journey was not without hardship. Following the passing of Karen’s daughter and Isaiah’s mother, Bianca, the two supported one another to stay strong and finish what they had started - together showing resilience, determination and the importance of connection.

Throughout their studies, Karen shared knowledge from her Elders, strengthening cultural identity within the classroom, while Isaiah now pursues his dream of becoming a composer, hoping to weave culture into music for film and games.

Karen continues to support community, champion truth-telling, and document her story for future generations.

This story is a powerful reminder that learning has no age limit and that through culture, truth and connection, we can build stronger futures together.

Originally written by Lewis Donaldson for the Charlie blog, this story is republished with permission.

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F

👏🎓 Congratulations to our inspiring new alumni, graduating from Port Macquarie this week.

Welcome to your alumni community! 🧡

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F.

As National Reconciliation Week begins, this is a time to continue learning about the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The 2026 theme, All In, invites us to reflect on the past, consider the present, and think about the role we can play in building respectful relationships into the future.

How are you going All In?



TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F.

P I V O T

🎓 “It’s completely okay not to know exactly what you want to do yet, and it’s also okay to change your mind along the way. I think the most important thing is to do something you enjoy.”

Charles Sturt University graduate Amy’s path to graduation was about discovering what felt right. She started with a Diploma of General Studies at the Charles Sturt Wagga Wagga campus, completed a year of Social Work, and then pivoted to find her place in the Bachelor of Communication.

“I loved how broad the communication degree was and the range of career paths it led to. It was also great being able to get a feel for each of the three majors before choosing one.

“All of my lecturers had real experience in the communications field, which made it all feel really relevant.”

While studying, Amy balanced both online and on campus learning, transitioning to distance study to support her wellbeing.

With the flexibility of online study and consistent support from her peers and lecturers, Amy’s confidence grew over the course of her degree, along with her academic results.

“Our assessments included working on video presentations and even creating podcasts. Those hands on experiences helped me build skills in areas I hadn’t really considered before.”

From figuring things out to finishing strong, Amy’s journey led her exactly where she needed to be. Now officially a graduate, Amy is working as an event coordinator.

“It’s very exciting. I feel like I’ve already started to make a bit of an impact from my degree. I’ve helped bring together a number of weddings and events over the past six months, and I hope to keep making a positive impact wherever I go.

“In the future, I’d also love to move into the marketing space and hopefully even have opportunities to travel overseas for work.”

As we get ready to celebrate our Port Macquarie graduates this week, we can’t wait to welcome more incredible alumni and share their inspiring stories 💫

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F.

Today is National Sorry Day, a time to reflect on the forced removal of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from their families, communities and culture - the Stolen Generations.

We also recognise the strength, resilience and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.

Charles Sturt University is committed to listening, learning and working alongside First Nations communities to create a future grounded in respect, truth telling and genuine partnership.

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F.

S R I • L A N K A 🇱🇰

When was the last time you caught up with friends from 15+ years ago? 🧡

That’s exactly what happened last week at the Charles Sturt University Colombo campus, where our Sri Lanka alumni came together for an unforgettable evening of reconnection.

With 50+ guests, the night was full of laughter, old photos 📸, and plenty of jokes about “quality aging - getting better with time!”

It was also a proud moment to see alumni experiencing the new Colombo campus, and sharing how they’re now guiding their own children through higher education choices.

One reflection really captured the spirit of the evening. As alumnus Indunil Thembuwan shared:
✨ “To anyone considering studying at Charles Sturt - this is a university that stays with you long after graduation.”

Huge thanks to:
🔸Alumni panellists: Yogarajah Seran, Indunil Thembuwan & Raphel Shervon Fernandopulle
🔸Hosts: Eleanor Mitchell, Somesh Perera & Andrew Knight
🔸Our amazing Colombo campus team

We heard it loud and clear - our alumni want to stay connected, and we can’t wait to make that happen. 🌏👏

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F.

Charles Sturt University International Students

B A N G L A D E S H 🇧🇩

What a fantastic alumni gathering in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sunday evening.

It was so special to see everyone reconnecting with Charles Sturt University and sharing memories from their time studying and living in Australia. There were plenty of laughs about Vegemite, lively chats about favourite Tim Tam flavours, and stories that brought everyone right back to their student days. 🇦🇺

A special thank you to Director, Office of Global Engagement & Partnerships, Eleanor Mitchell and Regional Manager South Asia, Geeta Bhatia, for hosting such a memorable event.

🧡 We loved hearing your journeys and celebrating the Charles Sturt community together.

(P.S. We’ve learnt our lesson - Tim Tams are definitely coming to the next overseas event! 😄)

TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F



Charles Sturt University International Students

I N T E R N A T I O N A L • N U R S E S • D A Y 💙

Today we celebrate the nurses who care, lead and make a difference every single day - including Charles Sturt University alumni Kerry Patford and Bethany Crowe from the McGrath Foundation.

🌟 Kerry, Chief Nurse since 2009, is helping architect McGrath’s expanded model of care - building its national nursing framework and establishing the Nurse Clinical Lead Team that supports and mentors nurses delivering cancer care across the country.

🌟 Bethany, Clinical Nurse Lead, is co-designing the same model of care for all cancers - bringing 30 years of experience and her own personal cancer journey to shape how care reaches every patient, from rural communities to First Nations peoples and beyond.

Together, they are building something Australia has never seen before: a model of care for all cancers, grounded in compassion, equity and clinical excellence.

Their stories remind us that nursing is more than a profession - it’s a lifelong commitment to care, advocacy and hope.

👏 Join us in thanking nurses everywhere today!

👉 Read their stories in the latest Thrive magazine: https://alumni.csu.edu.au/news-and-events/magazines



TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F. See less