Industrious student wins top uni award

An ambitious Busselton student has been recognised for top performance at Edith Cowan University’s South West campus.

Chelsea Yates will receive the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prize after finishing a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management with the best results last year.

Ms Yates felt vindicated after a hectic two-year schedule and grateful given only one award was handed out each year.

“I was working full time and studying more than full time the majority of my degree … it’s nice to be rewarded and acknowledged for the hard work, ” she said.

“I find it easier to stay busy, it keeps me motivated. It keeps you stimulated as well – learning new things is always good.”

If a call-back from a Perth workplace relations company didn’t eventuate, the 23-year old was hoping to use her achievements to apply for various graduate positions.

“My name gets out there … and they get to see you as a professional rather than just a student, ” she said.

Ms Yates believed more fly-in, fly-out opportunities gave people the chance to remain in Busselton and local graduate employment prospects would increase as the city grew.