“I wanted to learn more about my Indigenous heritage,” the Ulladulla resident said.

As he progressed, his degree at the Batemans Bay campus of the University of Wollongong became more than that.

“It’s been about community,” Mr Gowen said.

“In the first year of my degree, I volunteered with the not-for-profit organisation Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).

Mr Gowen continued volunteering with AIME through his degree.

“They are two pillars: the education and being involved with community, and helping high-school kids get to university and do well,” Mr Gowen said.

“And to also be an example of that, it’s something that’s important to me.”

It hasn’t all been plain sailing.

“I live in Ulladulla; I have three kids; I commute down; It’s a pain, especially with the road works,” Mr Gowen said.

“It’s frustrating, but it makes graduating all the more rewarding.”