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‘Solar-powered degree’ sends Kye sky-high
From radio-controlled gliders to radio-tracking birds, outstanding University of the Sunshine Coast graduate Kye McDonald has always aimed sky-high.
The 33-year-old is now studying Honours at USC after finishing his Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) with a grade point average of 6.958 out of 7.
Kye won the University Medal for USC’s highest achieving graduating student.
He also won the Faculty Medal for the highest achieving graduating student in the Faculty of Science, Health and Education. He received both awards at the 2009 graduation ceremony on 17 April.
The married father of two called it a “solar-powered degree” because all his off-campus hard work was done at his rainforest-surrounded Booroobin home which does not have mains electricity.
Kye, who ran a small business manufacturing radio-controlled gliders a few years ago, said his career goal was to help achieve sustainable coexistence between all of Earth’s species.
“I want to contribute in a meaningful way to mankind's knowledge of the natural environment, including our interactions within it, to help mitigate the negative impacts of human over-population.”
His Honours project will examine the feeding habits of Lesser Sooty Owls in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, with fieldwork starting in June.
“It’s looking at whether regurgitated pellets from the owls can be used to monitor small mammal communities,” he said. “I'll be radio-tracking several owls, identifying prey items within the pellets and undertaking small mammal trapping on Lamb Range, south-west of Cairns.”
Kye said he decided to get a tertiary education after “10 years of resistance”, including an abandoned architecture degree in New South Wales and odd jobs ranging from postie to groundskeeper.
The former Sydney boy, who moved with his childhood sweetheart to a caravan in Maleny 11 years ago, said he finally followed his true passion – nature.
“I chose USC partly because it offered the degree I was after and was close to home and partly because of the bright, airy modern buildings, open space and kangaroos, relaxed atmosphere and approachability of academic staff,” he said.
“I had some initial anxieties about going back to uni as a mature-age student but these were quickly put to rest upon realising that there's quite a few of us at USC.
“I've made good friendships, young and old, and appreciate the genuine enthusiasm of the staff.”
– Julie Gatehouse