From horses to higher degrees: Annette’s path to a PhD

Growing up on her family farm in the central Wheatbelt, Annette always loved two things: life in the country and horses. For many regional students, the thought of university can feel like a huge leap and returning to study later in life can seem even bigger. But Annette’s determination to make a difference kept opening doors to new learning opportunities. From Physiotherapy to Veterinary Research and finally a PhD, Annette’s education journey shows just how far passion and persistence can take you.

Finding her path

After high school, Annette knew she wanted a career that helped others and decided to study Physiotherapy, even when her ATAR fell just short. Rather than giving up, she did a year of Human Biology, followed by a year of Occupational Therapy, and after that, she was able to apply for mature-age entry into Physiotherapy at Curtin University.

Her love of animals never faded. After several years working as a Physiotherapist, she discovered a brand-new field she couldn’t ignore: Veterinary Physiotherapy. Annette completed her Master of Veterinary Physiotherapy through the University of Liverpool, a mix of online study and practical placements that even took her to the UK three times.

It wasn’t easy juggling work and postgraduate study, but Annette embraced the challenge, even starting her own business so she could better manage her time. The research she completed sparked something bigger. Her work was well-received, published, and presented at conferences, where people began asking the question she hadn’t yet considered: When are you going to do a PhD?

“I knew if I didn’t pursue the idea, I’d regret it at 80.”

Encouraged by others who saw the value in her ideas and determined not to look back years later wishing she’d tried, Annette found a supervisor who believed in her research. She enrolled as an external PhD student at Charles Sturt University.

“A PhD is a huge project. You’re managing your own time, chipping away at something massive. It can feel overwhelming,” Annette admits. Fortnightly Zoom meetings with her supervisors helped keep her on track, and an online PhD support program called Research Central proved invaluable. “That group was amazing,” Annette says. “They offered masterclasses, weekly ‘shut up and write’ sessions, and a space to ask questions you might feel silly asking your supervisor.”

Overcoming challenges from the country

One of the biggest hurdles came not from the study itself but from rural connectivity. Uploading research videos using patchy farm internet was nearly impossible.

“Lumen was fantastic,” Annette says. “Having access to reliable, high-speed internet meant I could submit my work on time.”