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A Year 10 school leaver and a nurse with big dreams were among the veterans recognised at Australian Catholic University’s Student Veteran Impact Awards.
The awards celebrated the achievements of veterans at various stages of their transition from military service.
ACU is leading the way in creating educational pathways for ex-Australian Defence Force personnel, with a veteran-specific Recognition of Prior Learning framework and a suite of programmes and courses that support veterans and their family members while they study.
Just days before his graduation ceremony, Master of Business Administration student John Hardgrave received the Student Veteran Impact Award (Graduating) in recognition for outstanding service to the university and wider community.
“I wish I’d started studying sooner,” said Mr Hardgrave, a former officer in the Australian Regular Army.
Mr Hardgrave resigned from the infantry in 2014 and is part of RSL Queensland’s senior management team, while still serving in the Army Reserve.
While juggling postgraduate study and fulltime work, he also volunteers for various organisations including Gaythorne RSL on Brisbane’s northside, ACU’s Student Veteran Support Program and Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club.
Before embarking on his MBA, Mr Hardgrave had accumulated corporate experience but was initially hesitant about formal study - a common concern for transitioning veterans.
“I left school after Year 10 and was intimidated by what I didn’t know,” he reflected.
“It was difficult, and there was some self-doubt. I cringe at that first assessment, but I got a credit, became more confident and it was all sixes and sevens after that.”
Sigrid Bahr from ACU’s Melbourne campus was presented with the Sir Peter Cosgrove Impact Award.
Originally from Albury-Wodonga, she followed her mother Julie into nursing- a rewarding career that can open doors to the world.
She served ACU on the executive committee of the Melbourne Nursing Society, helped reinvigorate the Melbourne Student Veteran Society and volunteered within the Victorian correctional system, all before her anticipated course completion next year.
Ms Bahr’s pathway was supported by the ADF’s Civil Schooling Scheme, a program that provides financial assistance for serving members while undertaking approved tertiary courses.
“It’s great to be financially supported while I study. It takes away a lot of stress so I can focus on study and get involved at uni,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis praised the award recipients for their military service and their efforts to make a difference.
Returning to study can be challenging for ex-soldiers, who often grapple with loss of identity and purpose after transitioning to civilian life.
“Further study provides them not only with employment prospects, but also with a solid support network, meaningful connections, and a sense of belonging,” Professor Skrbis noted.
“It’s heartening to see so many veterans and family members flourish – growing in confidence, excelling in their studies, and making an impact in their second chosen career as students and graduates.”
Current and former servicemen and servicewomen aged 20 to 59 are 20 per cent less likely to have a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Australia than those who have never served. This disparity is even more pronounced among younger age groups, with those aged 20 to 39 being 34 per cent less likely to have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Through its Veteran Entry Program that enables current and former members of the ADF to be granted a selection rank for entry to university based on their military training achievements, ACU has pioneered a path for veterans to change their lives through higher education.
In recent years, ACU has attracted approximately $2 million in research and education funding, including a million-dollar Veteran Wellbeing Grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, enabling the university to further strengthen its services and support for student veterans and their families.
Earlier this year, the university launched Five2Study, an innovative web application developed with RSL Queensland that provides interactive resources aimed at leveraging the strengths veterans bring to foster their wellbeing and success.
