Charles Darwin University

01/06/2026

Alumni Spotlight 🔦

From remote Western Australia to creating life-changing community programs in Timor-Leste, CDU alumnus Ryan Chapman is proving the power of education in action 🌏

After completing a Bachelor of Primary Education in 2024 and a Master of Education in 2026 at Charles Darwin University, Ryan has continued to make an extraordinary impact through education, youth support, and community development.

Now based in Brisbane, he helps deliver alternative education programs that support young people through alternative learning pathways with St James College, Spring Hill. It's work that closely aligns with his passion for inclusive education and community connection.

Alongside this, his charity, Yellow Dove Australia, is leading meaningful change across Australia, and Timor-Leste through education, health, and community initiatives.

One of the organisation’s most impactful projects, Movimentu Kalma Iha Bee Project (Calm Moving Water) is delivering the first structured aquatic education and drowning prevention program on Atauro Island in Timor-Leste. Working alongside local schools, staff, and community leaders, the initiative focuses on survival swimming, CPR, rescue awareness, and long-term community-led water safety education.

The project has already achieved several major milestones, including:
🏊 Training and awarding 35 Timorese participants with a Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion
🌊 Delivering bilingual aquatic education in Tetum and English
🤝 Empowering local Timorese staff to independently lead future water safety education within their communities

Reflecting on his CDU experience, Ryan shared:

“My experience with CDU was superb. I studied online while living remotely, and the support from staff made a real difference. The communication was always clear, and it was one of the key reasons I chose to stay with CDU for my Master of Education.”

We’re proud to celebrate alumni using their education to create lasting impact both locally and globally 💙

CDU offers a supportive system to study a variety of courses online, you can learn more by visiting our website at https://www.cdu.edu.au/study

29/05/2026

Watch Rodriguez’s inspiring journey and why he chose to study with CDU 💙

28/05/2026

This National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), Charles Darwin University is proud to stand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in our shared commitment to reconciliation. ❤️💛🖤

This year’s theme, All In, is a powerful reminder that it is not the responsibility of First Nations peoples alone; it’s on all of us to learn, act and stand together.

With events happening across multiple locations, there's something for everyone in the CDU community to be part of — from ceremonies and morning teas to panel discussions and entertainment.

Head to the Reconciliation Australia website for information on events happening near you throughout the week 👉 https://bit.ly/4fRh60q

26/05/2026

Last week, CDU celebrated a number of regional and remote students at the Katherine graduation. 🎓

We had students travel into town from all over the Big Rivers Region and beyond to receive their qualifications.

A huge congratulations to all on your fantastic achievements! ✨💙

25/05/2026

Graduation Day 3🎓💙
14 May 2026, 10am

Tag your mate if you see them 👇

23/05/2026

A massive congratulations to new CDU Midwifery graduate, Brooke Campbell! 🎓🍼

Brooke was driven by a powerful calling to be there for mothers during their most important moments. Balancing family, work, and university isn’t easy, but Brooke absolutely crushed it.

Her journey by the numbers:
👶 36 babies delivered
🏥 1,120+ hours of hands-on placement
📚 Countless late-night study sessions

Brooke proves that with enough passion and dedication, you can achieve anything. Help us wish her a huge congratulations in the comments! 👇🎉

👉 Click the link to read her full story https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/cdu-graduate-turns-personal-tragedy-purpose

22/05/2026

At CDU, we love seeing where our graduates’ passions take them. Today, we’re sharing the incredible story of Rasa Kabaila, a Nurse Practitioner who knew what she wanted from the very beginning. 🏥

She is the founder of the private practice 'Broadleaf: Holistic Nurse Practitioner Services' and has had an incredible journey to get to where she is today.

After starting her journey specialising in palliative care, a "one-month" stint in mental health turned into a lifelong calling. Seeking a challenge, she chose our Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) program for its renowned rural and remote focus.

Between sunrise hikes in Alice Springs and intensive residentials throughout the course, she bonded with her small cohort of 'sisters' from Canberra who were also studying at CDU. Studying at CDU gave Rasa the opportunity to also connect with other Nurse Practitioner students across Australia who had backgrounds in different clinical specialties.

Rasa's achievements are nothing short of inspiring:

✅ Led breakthrough depression and anxiety trials while working in a regional hospital and serving as a conjoint Lecturer with UNSW Rural Medical School (Optima 1 & 2).

✅ Published a textbook with Springer Nature, accessed by 29,000+ people worldwide.

✅ Runs a neurodivergent-friendly and trauma-informed independent practice called Broadleaf (https://broadleafhnpservices.com) which welcomes people by utilising natural light, therapeutic furniture, nature, art and craft, therapy cats and sensory support.

✅ Volunteers as a coach with Port Macquarie Boxing Gym, linking martial arts with youth justice and mental health.

From supervising medical students to mentoring the next generation of NPs, she is the definition of nursing excellence.

Rasa, we are so excited to continue watching you prosper in this rewarding career path! 🩺

📲 Do you know any CDU alumni making an incredible impact in the community? Nominations are still open for this years' CDU Alumni Awards. Submit your nominations online by visiting https://www.cdu.edu.au/alumni-giving/alumni-awards/alumni-awards-nomination-form

21/05/2026

Learn how CDU’s Graduate Diploma of Midwifery can help you take the next step.
Register now: https://bit.ly/4doYwLP

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is hosting a free webinar about its Graduate Diploma of Midwifery to show registered nurses how flexible study can help them transition into a rewarding career in woman-centered maternity care.

20/05/2026

Graduation Day 2🎓💙
13 May 2026, 2pm

Tag your mate if you see them 👇

19/05/2026

Last week, we asked what advice graduating students would give to themselves or anyone else for starting their uni journey! 💙

It's never easy - but it's what you do about it, that makes things more manageable!

Consider studying with CDU, visit our website for more information > https://www.cdu.edu.au/study