Growing up on her family’s cattle property fuelled Stephanie Perrett’s ambition to work in rural Australia, and now a degree from the University of the Sunshine Coast has led to a graduate position in agribusiness with one of Australia’s largest banks.

Miss Perrett, who is Gympie’s 2016 Showgirl and the daughter of Member for Gympie Tony Perrett, recently gained a coveted role with the National Australia Bank, just days after completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Financial Planning) at USC Gympie.

“I have a strong passion for agriculture and always planned to work in the rural industry and was fortunate to gain a position straight out of uni with NAB’s Agribusiness graduate program,” Miss Perrett, 20, said.

She said USC’s Commerce degree had proved to be an excellent pathway into the NAB program, which prepared graduates for a move into the role of agribusiness analyst.

After completing training and a temporary placement in regional New South Wales, Miss Perrett said she would qualify for a permanent position in a regional NAB agribusiness branch.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to provide individual financial solutions to primary producers ranging from small family farming enterprises to large multinational operations in regional areas of Australia.”

The high achiever who received numerous academic, sporting and cultural awards as a student at Gympie’s St Patrick’s College, said she chose to study at USC Gympie when she finished Year 12 because she wanted to stay close to home.

“The opening of USC Gympie was the perfect opportunity for me to attend university and still do the things I love, including working on my family’s beef cattle property at Kilkivan, west of Gympie,” she said.

“With its small class numbers, one-on-one attention from lecturers and tutors, friendly and welcoming administration team and great friendships, the Gympie campus is a great place to study for rural people who don’t want to go to the big smoke.”

While at USC, Miss Perrett worked part-time at a local accounting firm, news agency and takeaway store, and gained qualifications as a personal trainer.

She also successfully contested this year’s Gympie Showgirl Awards, going on to represent 15 regional shows affiliated with the north coast region, including Gympie, Fraser Coast and Noosa, at the state finals at the Brisbane Exhibition.

Study options at USC Gympie include full degree programs in Business Management, Marketing, Commerce, Accounting, Nursing Science and Education.

Students also can complete the first year of a number of degrees at Gympie before studying the remaining subjects at USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs. For details go to www.usc.edu.au/learn

— Clare McKay