Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon woman Chenoa Masters has completed her third tertiary qualification, using education to strengthen her understanding of government policy and advocate for First Nations communities.

Ms Masters, who has kinship ties to Wiradjuri Country, graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development from Charles Darwin University (CDU) during its Sydney graduation ceremony on October 29.

She was among more than 400 graduates recognised at the Coliseum Theatre.

Ms Masters discovered the course while working on diversity and inclusion programs and decided to enrol following the outcome of the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum.

The referendum prompted her to examine how government operates and how policies are developed and implemented.

"Following the referendum I truly felt that even though I understood democracy I didn't understand how our government operates, how policies are implemented," she said.

"When I saw this course, I knew it was going to be an opportunity to learn in a space where I felt lost at the time.

"I was blown away by the knowledge of our academics. They have empowered me to be able to have tough conversations respectfully."

Ms Masters also delivered the occasional address at one of the university's two graduation ceremonies.

She credited CDU staff for supporting her studies, with the qualification also providing a pathway into a PhD.

"The support I received from CDU staff was truly phenomenal. I am grateful to them for sharing their knowledge, time and expertise with me and all the students," Ms Masters said.

For Ms Masters, education has provided opportunities to contribute to conversations and decisions that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

She also reflected on the generations of First Nations women who were excluded from those spaces.

"I feel my privilege deeply. Through access to education my voice has more weight behind it in rooms that my matriarchs were never invited into," Ms Masters said.

"I have always looked at education as a way to strengthen my voice for my people, and I dedicate the knowledge I have gained in this Graduate Diploma wholeheartedly to the next generation, for whom policy will continue to affect."

CDU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Fiona Coulson congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the role of education in their future careers.

"Congratulations to all of our outstanding students who graduated in Sydney last week. Education is empowerment, and it's an honour to know and learn about how CDU has become a formative part of so many students' journeys," Professor Coulson said.

"Graduation is a celebration of academic achievement but also of the future, and we are excited to see our graduates build upon what they've learned with CDU."

The Sydney ceremonies recognised graduates across health, business, science and technology, with three doctorates also conferred.