L-R Elizabeth and Penny Gaskell celebrating their graduation
Penny and Elizabeth Gaskell have always shared a close bond, but studying Education together at Edith Cowan University's (ECU's) South West campus deepened their connection in ways they never expected.
"We were already close before our degrees," Elizabeth said.
"But getting to work together as adults on similar but separate things has been amazing. We are a lot closer now because of this."
Penny and Elizabeth crossed the stage side-by-side at ECU's Bunbury campus this year, marking the end of a chapter six years in the making. They studied locally, supported each other through setbacks, and are now working as relief teachers in the region they call home.
Originally from the Great Southern, with several years spent living in Wyndham in the State's north, they have called the South West home for the past decade and staying local mattered.
Choosing ECU meant they didn't have to relocate to Perth; it meant face-to-face lectures and tutorials in Bunbury, and it meant remaining part of the community they value.
"It was local. We didn't have to travel to Perth, and we both prefer face-to-face classes," Penny said.
A second chance at university
For Penny, returning to university was layered with history. She was the first in her family to attend university, initially studying Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at the University of Western Australia.
Life, however, had shifted dramatically. After her husband suffered a serious health scare, Penny needed to retrain quickly and secure a more stable future for her family. A Master of Teaching provided a practical pathway forward, building on her experience as an education assistant while she raised her five children, rather than requiring to start from scratch.
"I needed to retrain quickly. And this time, I had a study buddy," Penny said.
That study buddy was Elizabeth.
Together, they broke assignments into bite-sized chunks, they celebrated small wins, and they studied through COVID lockdowns at the kitchen table while others struggled with isolation.
"Our relationship is supportive and positive, we celebrate every small win together," Penny said.
A campus that knew their names
The campus environment at ECU Bunbury meant that staff knew them by name. The campus fostered genuine relationships with lecturers and educators such as Natalie Kidd, David Rhodes and Anne Coutts, who became consistent, trusted mentors throughout their degrees.
At Edith Cowan University's Bunbury campus, they were known by name, and that made all the difference. The smaller campus environment fostered genuine relationships with lecturers, with educators such as Natalie Kidd, David Rhodes and Anne Coutts becoming consistent, trusted mentors throughout their degrees.
"The staff at ECU Bunbury were a constant supportive presence," Penny said.
"We had regular opportunities to check in and build relationships with our lecturers, which kept me going."
When challenges arose, including placement difficulties, they were able to speak to people who already understood their situation.
Elizabeth believes that the connection made the difference.
"When something went wrong, people knew us. We could talk to people we already had a relationship with to get help," Elizabeth said.
Penny also credits ECU's Equity and Counselling services for helping her persist through a long, part-time degree that stretched over six years.
"It took me six years to complete. It was hard watching other cohorts finish. But I had support this time," Penny said.
Learning together, working together.
Both Elizabeth and Penny balanced study with work. Elizabeth received an ECU scholarship after achieving an ATAR above 90, which meant she did not need to work for much of her degree. In her final two years, she worked as a relief education assistant at Australind Senior High School.
Penny worked as a relief EA and later as a limited authority teacher at the same school, all while managing a household of seven. During Penny's final placement, Elizabeth paused her own study to keep the house running.
Both are now successfully employed in the education sector, a testament to the strength of their studies and the pathway they chose.
Elizabeth works as a relief education assistant at Australind Senior High School and as a relief teacher at local primary schools. Penny is a relief teacher at Australind Senior High School and Bunbury Senior High School.
Their classrooms are filled with the same qualities that drew them to teaching in the first place.
For Elizabeth, it was creativity, improvisation, structure and the chance to work with children.
"It's got a bit of everything I enjoy. Positive interaction with people, creativity, structure," Elizabeth said.
For Penny, it was a purpose. A new direction at a critical time.
More than a degree
Asked if they would recommend studying teaching at ECU, both are quick to answer.
"Yes," Elizabeth said. "Make friends in your course. They'll be your future colleagues. And at Bunbury, you really get to know your lecturers. That helps when you need support."
For Penny, the difference was simple.
"This time, I wasn't doing it alone."
Interested in a career in teaching? Visit https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/courses
For more information about the benefits of ECU's alumni network, visit the Alumni webpage.
