Catherine Price.
Camera IconCatherine Price. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Breaking the cycle of disadvantage with education

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

LEAVING school in Year 10 to care for her family, Catherine Price thought she had to leave her scientific dreams behind.

Later in life, Ms Price found herself in a troubled relationship and took the brave steps to leave.

She decided she wanted a brighter future for her children and chose to go back to her education.

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After completing certificates at Tafe, Ms Price investigated her options for a career in clinical laboratories and found Murdoch’s 14-week university preparation course OnTrack.

She completed the course on May 31.

It gives her another way into university and the chance to break the cycle of financial disadvantage that has beset her family.

“OnTrack has helped me realise what I am truly capable of despite having little education,” she said.

“It has helped to develop my academic skills to a university standard.”

She will start her Bachelor of Science majoring in Clinical Laboratory Sciences in late July, a course she has chosen because of the allergies her daughter suffers from, as well as her general interest in science.

“One of the units in the undergraduate degree is immunology,” she said.

“Research in this area has resulted in treatments which have made a significant positive change in my daughter’s life.”

Her tutor Gillian Turner said Ms Price was inspiring.

“She has spoken often about how difficult it was for her to overcome domestic violence, regain some confidence and how Murdoch University has given her the amazing opportunity to break the chain of poverty with the OnTrack program,” Ms Turner said.

Enabling courses run each semester at Perth, Rockingham and Mandurah campuses or online.

Visit Murdoch or call 1300 687 3624.