Libby and Sandra Summerell of Cathcart are both embarking on 3rd Year Vet Science at Charles Sturt University, sharing a flat in Wagga. Both girls work on a local shearing team during holidays to help pay their way, and get support from the Monaro Education Foundation.
STUDYING to be a veterinary scientist is a demanding challenge for anyone, but for local sisters, Sandra and Libby Summerell, the task is made a little easier as they can study together.
The two sisters from Cathcart are both embarking on 3rd Year Vet Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga.
They have shared a flat in Wagga since they started the course, and so far they have passed all their subjects with flying colours.
Sandra, 22, and Libby, 20, both attended Bombala High School.
Sandra started her university career at Latrobe Uni in Melbourne, studying Animal Science, but decided to change to Veterinary Science at Wagga.
Libby, by this time, had completed her HSC, and so they both started the Wagga CSU Vet course in the same year.
Sandra says she loves the Wagga campus. “It’s a country area and I feel more at home there. It’s a more relaxed pace than in the city. Everyone dresses casually and it’s a lifestyle that fits well with the study we have to do,” she said.
“The lecturers are great,” says Libby. “You can knock on their door if you find yourself struggling with a subject. They get to know us well, as there are about 70 students in each year group.”
Sandra and Libby both receive funding support from the Monaro Education Foundation, since starting the course.
“It’s a major help,” says Sandra, “as our workload for study makes it hard to have time for a part time job.”
During the holidays both girls work in a local shearing team to help pay their way through university.
Sandra and Libby are enjoying the range of work placements they undertake in the course, from dairy and beef cattle to sheep, poultry and working in a piggery.
After completing the five and a half year course, Sandra says her dream job is to work in a rural vet practice.
The Monaro Education Foundation is this year providing funding support to 23 local students, a total of $17,750.
This Thursday night at the Cooma Cinema, the Monaro Education Foundation will screen the new movie “Hitchcock” at 8pm. Proceeds raised will be used to assist local students, like Libby and Sandra, move towards their chosen career.
Tickets at the door $20. Further information ring 6458 3726 or Jenny Clarke on 6452 3344.
