Rahni Nipperess is discovering that perhaps she is more conservative than she realised.
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Studying a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability Studies at the Australian National University has opened her eyes to the different perspective a country kid can bring.
In class with “full blown environmentalists”, Ms Nipperess has found that she understands the pressures of a small community in a way they may not.
“They probably haven’t stepped foot in a country town, and they don’t know what it’s like to be on a low income,” she said.
“Coming from Braidwood I definitely have a very strong sense of social justice for rural communities, but being a young person I understand that the environment is at the forefront of our existence, but you can’t have sustainability without the worker.”
It’s this mix of the environment, the human and the economic that drew her in to the course. She loves that her degree challenges her beliefs and her assumptions.
“The thing I like about my degree is that a lot of the time it opens a lot more questions than it answers,” Rahni said.
Through frequent practical field trips, she’s seen a range of farming practices. This has given her insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various systems, and the social and cultural ideas about farming that can influence choice of method.
It’s also given her invaluable practical experience.
After each field trip students write up management plans based on issues they explored on the trip.
About to enter the third year of her degree, Ms Nipperess has found the support of a small community invaluable.
During her first two years of study, she received a scholarship from the Braidwood and District Education Foundation, which helped her to meet the often unexpected upfront costs of beginning university, and allowed her to live in student accommodation. She also received a scholarship from the Kirk Foundation via the Lions Club which enabled her to buy a laptop.
The financial support has been important, but it’s the feeling of a community behind her that has helped to drive Ms Nipperess.
“It’s a really nice feeling to know that your community wants to financially invest in your future,” she said.
The support has been so powerful, it’s moved her to help create similar support for other rural students.
With a group of 12, Ms Nipperess has begun a program called ‘ANU Students for Regional Scholarships’ to help regional students meet the upfront costs of beginning university.
- The BDEF Presentation Night will be held on Friday February 2 at the Club, from 7.30pm, guest speaker will be Jackie French, AM, author,historian and ecologist, enquiries to Trish Solomon 0401 904 680