Student, singer, a little horse sports mad and country through and through
Published on 29 August, 2011
Education student Nadine Dempster once gave a vocal performance to open a diamond fashion house in Hong Kong. But otherwise her CV shows she's a real country girl at heart.
The former Kiwi is certainly multi-talented. She's not only represented both New Zealand and Queensland in the horse sport of polocrosse; she's also represented her home country in a Trans-Tasman Country Entertainer of the Year competition.
As a young girl she even gained a NZ junior rock'n'roll dancing pairs title and played representative netball.
Now studying CQUniversity's Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching, Nadine's preparing to complete her final internship at Wandoan State School, west of Bundaberg, with financial support from the Department of Education and Training 'Beyond the Range' grant program.
"I grew up on a large sheep and cattle station at Cape Reinga on the northern tip of NZ, and have always been a county kid at heart," Nadine says.
"My partner got work out here near Wandoan as a contract musterer and we hope to one day own our own property out west. Plus I really enjoy the country kids, we have a lot in common and I really enjoy the small town atmosphere and the community spirit which I don't think you get in bigger towns or cities. Everyone from the bush helps one another out."
When she first left school in NZ, Nadine completed a communications degree with distinction, majoring in advanced video and studio production at Auckland University of Technology.
Now aged 23, Nadine represents Queensland at polocrosse and, while study has cut into playing time, she is scheduled to play for Wandoan at the State Championships in early September.
She's also keen to resume her country singing with more gusto once she's gained her education qualification.
"My mum has been a secondary school teacher for 45 years, so I spend many late night calls to NZ, asking for advice.
"I love the course; a mammoth effort to fit it into one year but worth it. I have learnt heaps! Being a Flex student is difficult but the lecturers are very supportive, and my family motto is 'hold fast' (never give up)!"
