Training local to stay local: Wimmera nurse honoured at Federation University graduation

Wimmera student Tammy McDonald will cross the stage in Ballarat among more than 740 Federation University Australia students this week, all celebrating years of hard work and dedication surrounded by the family and friends who supported them along the way.

The group is among more than 1,500 students graduating across Federation’s campuses in April and May ceremonies, marking the milestone across a wide range of disciplines. 

This year’s celebration holds extra significance for Tammy who is graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing with distinction after beginning her academic journey at Federation TAFE.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a midwife and I always knew I wanted to stay local. Being here in the Wimmera is something that’s really important to me and because of that, I decided to go back to school and complete my Diploma of Nursing through Federation TAFE in Horsham,” Tammy said.

“My experience there was fantastic. I absolutely loved the teachers — they were incredibly supportive and helpful. It was great to be able to put those skills into practice. The course was very hands on, which really suited my learning style.

“Moving on to a bachelor’s degree felt like a natural next step for me. I wanted to upskill, and I’m really excited to be graduating with distinction.”

Now a nurse at Grampians Health in Horsham, Tammy has been recognised as a standout student and trainee in the region. She is an advocate for ‘training local to stay local’, emphasising the importance of providing healthcare, education and opportunities within regional areas like the Wimmera.

Her accolades include being awarded the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Give Them Wings Scholarship and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation’s Student of the Year.

She is also a Federation TAFE Trainee of the Year, recognised for her excellence during her Diploma of Nursing studies.

Tammy’s own health journey, including a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was among the motivations of wanting to become a nurse.

She also has a strong family connection to the local First Nations community and is passionate about being able to provide continuity of care and culturally safe spaces that encourage people to access healthcare.

“In the long run, having that care from an early stage can significantly improve health outcomes for both mums and babies as they grow,” she said.

Since finishing her degree, Tammy has started her graduate year at Grampians Health where she will rotate through different areas of the hospital. She is already planning for the next phase in her healthcare career, including more opportunities to study.

Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley said whether returning to study after many years in the workforce, embarking on postgraduate study, or stepping into university life after secondary school, all graduates should be incredibly proud of their hard work.

“Graduation is an amazing personal achievement, but also a shared milestone, made possible by the encouragement, support and belief of loved ones, and we are proud to celebrate this moment with our graduates as they take their next steps and make a positive impact in their communities,” Professor Bentley said.