Past students help vets of the future

Armed with firsthand knowledge, a desire to make a difference and a deep gratitude for their own Charles Sturt University experience, veterinary science alumni are ‘paying it forward’ through a fund established to help students during their final years of study.

Nobody understands the rigors of studying veterinary science and the challenges of extended unpaid work placement better than those who have been there before.

That’s why a small group of alumni have banded together to create the Alumni Veterinary Student Fund, raising money to go towards bursaries for current students. Since kicking off in 2020, the fund has already raised more than $50,000.

Alistair Grant is one of the driving forces behind the fund. Graduating from the veterinary science degree in 2010, Alistair is now a director of a veterinary practice in Mackay, Queensland. He is grateful for his experiences during his study, which included time spent at UC Davis in California on an externship.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to America, going to rural and remote Australia or you want to spend time at a big city specialist clinic, what we as alumni would like to see is students coming through with the opportunity to experience as much as possible in their final year of placements – without having to limit themselves due to finances.” Alistair explained that one of the big drivers behind establishing the fund was industry sustainability, saying graduate expectations and the reality of private practice can often be quite different, leading to an alarming number of people dropping out of the industry altogether.

“The ability to see as much as possible in that final year allows students to realise how much is available within our industry. I always feel disappointed when we’re receiving job applications from graduates and I see final year placements limited to one area because they were unable to afford to travel, or to move about to different areas to experience more.

“And that’s exactly what we’re aiming to do with this fund – to provide bursary funds so students can make the most of all the opportunities that present themselves in their final year, meaning they’re better able to fulfil their professional lives. In the years to come, we hope the fund also helps to create a strong sense of community among the Charles Sturt veterinary alumni.”

Alistair Grant