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K AT E W O O D - F O Y E - D I R E C T O R O F E X T E R N A L E N G A G E M E N T , C H A R L E S S T U R T U N I V E R S I T Y
M E L S T R E A T E R Graphic Design graduate
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ongratulations, Mel, on achieving your Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design*) through Charles Sturt University! Can you tell us how your passion for creativity started you on your path to this degree? My love of art developed as a kid while watching my dad paint. I remember sitting with him for hours while he painted and being completely mesmerised at how a blank canvas could become something so beautiful and a vessel for storytelling. After finishing high school, I moved to Sydney to explore different fields, from massage therapy to audio engineering, and while no education is ever wasted, none of them felt quite right. I moved back to Port in 2014 and began Design Fundamentals at TAFE and rediscovered that art and design was what really excited me. From there, I longed to learn more. I applied for uni at Charles Sturt, and now here I stand on the other side of my degree. Mel, you had the opportunity to undertake a two-week short term study program as part of your degree. Can you tell us a bit about that? In 2018 I was awarded the Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor travel grant, that allowed me to attend the Cardiff School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales. The program introduced students to a wide range of disciplines, such as Letterpress printing, animation, screen printing, 3D printing, and laser cutting. It was an incredible experience that not only taught me new skills to utilise in my own practice, but also allowed me to work with
students from different cultures. You were accepted at Charles Sturt as a mature age student. What were some of the advantages and highlights of studying at Charles Sturt with the support of the Indigenous Services team? Starting university at 27 was daunting at first. Relearning how to write academically and balance study with work and personal life was a steep learning curve. Fortunately, I had the support of lecturers, peers and my Aboriginal Liaison officer, Nina. Nina was a tremendous support during my time at Charles Sturt. She helped me source tutoring, assisted in finding scholarships, and advocated on my behalf to defer study for a semester when I was struggling with health issues. She went above and beyond to support me through my studies and is genuinely a stellar human who wants to see Aboriginal students succeed - not only to have access to tertiary education, but ongoing support to see them through and out the other side, and to become strong community leaders. Nina is now working on her Masters at Oxford in the UK, but future Indigenous students are in the capable hands of Kristie and Jen in the Indigenous Student Centre. You studied hands on subjects in the creative labs with your lecturers Dr. Willhemina Wahlin and Tyhe Reading, as well as other subjects that you studied online - can you tell us about the support you received from Charles Sturt whilst doing the program? The support from Willie and Tyhe was outstanding, and I’m still receiving support now that I’m post grad. The wealth of design comprehension between them and their
Graphic Design graduate Mel Streater is a descendant of the Wiradjuri nation, who was born and lives in Port Macquarie on Birpai Country. Her love of art developed at a young age while watching her dad paint and sculpt. As her hands and understanding of the world grew, Mel recognised that she was driven to capture and create beautiful moments. Her visual narrative is crafted with detailed, fine line illustrations of ink and watercolour. Her graphic design work ties visuals and written content together to share ideas and stories. Central to all her work is a desire to design from a culturally aware and ethical framework. enthusiasm for sharing knowledge is a huge asset for students of design. I’m actually now working on a project with Tyhe for Charles Sturt. We are collaborating with the paramedic department to develop exterior wraps for the new Charles Sturt Simulation Ambulances. Keep an eye out for them driving around town in 2020! Can you tell us about your next exciting project post graduation? I’m currently working as co-curator and exhibition designer, alongside Dr. Wahlin and Jess Green - co-curator and content writer, for the Picture Justice Australia exhibition opening at the Port Macquarie Library on Thursday 16th January. The Picture Justice Program was developed in 2014 by New York based non-profit organisation PROOF: Media for Social Justice in collaboration with the United Nations International School. For the first time, in July this year, the fiveday program was brought to Australia. In a nutshell, Picture Justice is about lifting the voices of young people in our communities. PJA focused on the themes of Community, Citizenry and Processes of Democracy. For its ten participants, it included workshops on civics, design thinking, photography, ethical interviewing techniques, narrative development and story editing. It is also an ongoing joint research project between Charles Sturt and Swinburne Universities to learn more about how young people think and engage with their community, and if this program can give them new tools to participate. We are now turning the findings of the July program into an exhibition that can be viewed by other youth and citizens of the greater
Hastings area. As an emerging leader in the community, do you have any advice for young Indigenous women and men looking to start university study and make a difference in their community? I really lacked confidence as I was growing up. I suffered severely with depression and anxiety, and I hated school. I never thought I was smart enough to go to uni, let alone thrive while I was there. But, as I re-discovered my passion for the arts as an adult, I recognised that I needed to know more about it. I craved learning, and when you find that thing that sets your soul on fire, you owe it to yourself to pursue further investigation of it. That’s what led me to university, and it truly is the best decision I’ve ever made. It helped me to build confidence, critically analyse the world around me, and has helped me find my voice and my place in community. I feel I can really go out and make change now. So, my advice is to fully immerse yourself in the things that excite you, get the best education you can, and be patient while allowing yourself to explore and grow. Sometimes you have to withstand the drought before you can bloom. Thank you, Mel - we look forward to seeing your journey and career unfold. *In 2020, this is the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Design and Visual Arts).
Greater Port Macquarie focus 75