The 22-year-old left her beloved horses to begin her studies in Warrnambool and admitted it was one of the most difficult things about moving from her home in Beechworth to the south-west.

“I used to compete in dressage. I didn’t have the horses down here with me so that was a bit hard,” she said.

Living on residence, Ms Collier soon found she was able to apply her love of animals to a new passion.

“Nutrition I find really interesting and I’ve done some research in salmon nutrition. I’ve always been interested in horse nutrition and now I can apply that elsewhere,” she said.

After three years of hard work, Ms Collier left yesterday’s graduation ceremony with more than a degree. She also took home five awards in recognition of her achievements.

Ms Collier received the Alfred Deakin Medal based on her academic record and contribution to the university and community, the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for recognising excellence for students who have overcome hardship during their degree and achieved the highest academic records, the aquatic science award for the student with the highest weighted average mark, the Kate England award for demonstrated commitment to studies and the David Stokes prize for the highest weighted average mark of all students in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment across all campuses.

Ms Collier came to study marine biology after starting a degree in animal studies.

“I decided it (marine biology)  would be a more interesting area. It was something I didn’t know much about, but going to the ocean it was always something I’ve been interested in,” she said.

Ms Collier is now enjoying putting what she learnt into practice. “I’m just back from Townsville. I was there doing a research internship at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. I was working with Dr David Francis on the crown-of-thorns sea star because we’re trying to eradicate them from the reef. So we’re looking at their nutrition at the larvae stages, which is quite interesting,” she said.

The star student is now considering honours and perhaps a PhD, but first she is looking forward to a break.

“I’m going overseas for two months for a holiday. I’m going to Europe just for a break.”