Connie Creevey’s first classroom was on the wide, open plains travelling the stock routes between the Northern Territory and Queensland.
To learn maths she counted cattle on the muster, to master literature she read beside the campfire and, to learn science, she studied endless stars from her swag.
Connie spent her first year on Brunette Station in the NT and the next five travelling between the territory and western Queensland with her parents who have run a contract mustering, droving and weaner tailing business for 30 years
“Even though the days were long – and even though sometimes it was tough – we were all together, every single minute of the day,“ she said.
“I think you remember the tough moments as a family. It was just really good to work as one, doing what we all loved.“
Connie is a fifth-generation drover. She rode a horse before she walked and the love of the Australian outback runs deep through her veins.
Her unique upbringing led her to pursue a career in rural teaching by studying education at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
“Growing up in a rural and isolated area of Australia, I learned the importance of a quality education,” she said.
“Being isolated and rural, access to education can be difficult and students can be disengaged as they have a lot of responsibilities and interests outside of the classroom.
“I was motivated to choose a career in education at UniSQ as I understood the struggle and grew to learn the importance of an engaging classroom and education in rural and remote settings.”
The 18-year-old is the recipient of the University of Southern Queensland’s Elizabeth Rowlings Memorial Bursary.
Colin Rowlings established the bursary to honour the life of his mother, who was a staunch advocate for the value of education in the development of young people and the role of teachers in providing that guidance.
“It was amazing to be acknowledged by this incredible family,” Connie said. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity to receive and to be recognised when there’s not much recognition out there.
“Their story has inspired me to pursue my degree in education and teach in rural areas and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Connie’s mum said she was “really proud“ of her daughter attending university.
“It’s the icing on the cake,“ she said. “She’s done everything that we would have ever wanted her to do and it’s just been a pleasure being her mum.“
Connie lives on her family’s property in south west Queensland and has just completed her first year of a Bachelor of Education (Primary).
