POSITIVE CHANGES
Rebecca Manners always dreamed of becoming an environmental scientist.
After dropping out of high school in Year
10, it seemed almost impossible. Now,
at the age of 32, she is well on the way
to realising that dream—working within
the community to make positive changes
throughout the region.
She has travelled the world, worked in a
variety of different occupations including
sales, childcare and disability support.
However, something drove her to return
to study.
‘I knew I could achieve more with my
life and, with the support of my partner,
decided to take the plunge and return to
academic life.
This amazing young woman
began her journey to success
after she completed the
Tertiary Preparation Program
(TPP) and discovered her love
for biology. She combined
her two passions into a
double major, environmental
science and biology, as part
of the Bachelor of Science at USQ.
‘I am enjoying learning about lots of stuff
I never knew the slightest thing about
before—science is an awe-inspiring subject.’
Hard work and discipline were the key to
achieving straight 7s for Rebecca. She says
she spends countless hours studying and
preparing for assessment. The transition
from high school dropout to high achiever
wasn’t easy, but by staying optimistic,
she managed to tackle the challenges life
presented her with.
‘Everybody hits roadblocks sometimes…
WORDS: TONI DOBBYN – USQ Alumni
you could have days/ when your brain just
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doesn’t want to work, or you might just
REALLY want to be doing something else,
but you learn how to deal with these
things, and so long as you stick at it,
things will be alright.’
Rebecca is now president of the USQ
Environment Society and recently received
the Condamine Alliance Natural Resource
Management Bursary, which includes an
eight-week placement that she is really
looking forward to. She volunteers her
time with organisations like Landcare,
Lock the Gate Alliance and Sea Shepherd
and is a member of ASEN, the Australian
Student Environment Network. The newly
formed Darling Downs
Environment Council has
also offered her a position,
which will allow her to make
some positive changes in the
region.
Her enthusiasm for the
environment is quite honestly
inspirational. She aims to one
day work in an organisation
that has environmental values and aims to
make a real difference in the world.
‘Life stops when you give in to apathy—
you’ve got to try and make yourself a
better person, to make the world a better
place, no matter in how small a way that
might be.’
We wish Rebecca all the best on her
journey. She is certainly destined for big
things.
WORDS: KAITLIN CAMPBELL – USQ Student
BELINDA CAMERON – USQ Alumni
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