General news
12 May, 2026
Ungarie Student Becomes Family’s First University Graduate
A local student from Ungarie has achieved what no one in her family has before by successfully graduating from university.
Kadee Gerhard-Scali graduated from the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga this month.
Ms Gerhard-Scali described the milestone as her greatest achievement in life.
She is the first in her family to graduate from university.
The graduate completed 52 weeks of placement away from home and university, overcoming the common issue of placement poverty experienced by many regional students.
Growing up in a single-parent family, Ms Gerhard-Scali wondered whether the cost of pursuing a university education would be prohibitive.
The student's mother often had to call on neighbours and the wider community for support while she worked.
"In addition to figuring out how I could cover the costs associated with moving away from home, such as accommodation, my course was placement-heavy, requiring me to do 52 weeks of unpaid placement away from campus throughout my degree," Ms Gerhard-Scali said.
Placements for the degree took her to various locations across the state.
In the second year of study, she was based in Shellharbour and Goulburn for four weeks at each practice.
During the third year, she completed six weeks of placement in Wagga Wagga and another six weeks in Leeton.
In her fourth year, Ms Gerhard-Scali completed 36 weeks of placement across Albury, Wodonga, and Wangaratta, depending on where she was rostered.
Despite the challenges of finding accommodation and covering relocation costs, her determination to pursue a career in health fueled her to find a way.
She applied for and received financial assistance through her local Country Education Foundation, CEF West Wyalong & District.
Support also came from the Student Placement Assistance Program and various scholarships through Charles Sturt University.
"This financial support had a major impact on my quality of life during my university studies," Ms Gerhard-Scali said.
Paid work in those locations was challenging because the placements were often far from both the university and her home.
Scholarships allowed the student to survive during these placements and to live on campus during other periods.
This support, coupled with the casual jobs she obtained, made pursuing higher education possible.
Ms Gerhard-Scali expressed gratitude while noting that not all students receive similar financial support.
"Students often go hungry and sleep in unsafe environments to make ends meet during placement, or they have to defer their studies so they can work and save to pursue their courses the following year," she said.
The graduate felt immense pride, which was made even more satisfying by receiving a job offer immediately at the site where she completed her placement in Albury, New South Wales.
"There were many times the financial, emotional and mental costs of pursuing an allied health degree were extremely hard, particularly as these degrees do not receive government financial support for placements," she said.
Ms Gerhard-Scali admitted it was easy to consider quitting during those difficult times.
As a new graduate, she believes her job will provide opportunities to grow and develop skills in X-ray and Computed Tomography, Mammography, and eventually MRI.
When offering advice for other students, she said it is normal not to know exactly what career to choose immediately after high school.
The graduate encouraged students to think about what they are passionate about.
"University is a place of opportunity and growth, not something to be afraid of," she said.
She advised students to understand from the outset that there will be financial pressures and to start planning early to navigate them.
Ms Gerhard-Scali noted that her life has taught her resilience and independence, for which she is extremely grateful.
Read More: Ungarie
