Author Eric Rolls to address Graduation Ceremony

One of Australia's best-known literary figures, Eric Rolls AM, has confirmed that he will deliver the Occasional Address to the 27 graduands (graduates-to-be) and guests at SCU's Graduation Ceremony to be held at the Port Macquarie campus on Saturday, 17 February.

Mr. Rolls, who has authored an impressive number of books on topics ranging from food and wine to, most notably, the Australian environment, is a local resident. His most recent book, Australia: A Biography (University of Queensland Press, 2000) is the first of a planned two-volume work on the country's biological and human history.

Scheduled to start at 9.30am, the formal ceremony will be attended by senior academic staff from Southern Cross' various North Coast campuses, headed by the Chancellor, Dr. Lionel Phelps, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard.

The Academic Procession of at least twenty formally-gowned staff members will enter the hall in accordance with a tradition that has remained substantially unchanged since the 12th century. More than a hundred family members and friends of the graduands are expected to attend.

Degrees will be conferred in the disciplines of Applied Science, Arts, Business, Health Science in Nursing, Law (Paralegal Studies), Social Science and Tourism.

The Gordon Milne Memorial Prize for 2000 will be awarded to Renee Phillips, a Bachelor of Business student, majoring in Paralegal Studies, who demonstrated the best overall academic achievement in her first year of study. Renee attended MacKillop Senior College in Port Macquarie and is currently employed by Searson & Shannon Solicitors.

The Vice-Chancellor said that "Southern Cross values very highly our presence in the Port Macquarie area and has a strong commitment to providing the maximum number of local people with access to tertiary education of the highest standard. We are delighted to be holding a traditional Graduation Ceremony here."