Coffs Harbour graduates celebrate

Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus will be a sea of black robes and traditional black mortarboard hats as 214 students celebrate their graduation in two ceremonies tomorrow.

More than 1000 people are expected to attend the ceremonies, with many families and friends travelling from throughout Australia to celebrate with the graduates.

The Chancellor, the Honourable John Dowd AO QC, will present the awards. Three University medals, recognising outstanding academic achievement, will also be awarded on Saturday.

Among those preparing for tomorrow's celebration is Corindi resident Merilyn Millman, who at 62-years-old is proof that it’s never too late to begin studying. Helping her celebrate this weekend will be two of her three children, one of whom is travelling from Western Australia for the occasion.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate – I have had excellent lecturers and peer groups. There were staff who were absolutely brilliant and it was a great learning curve for me,” Merilyn said.

Having started a Fine Arts degree in the early 1970s which she did not complete, Merilyn said it was very exciting to be finally achieving her goal - a Bachelor of Arts degree.

“I was scared when I started. Being that little bit older I was a little insecure, but age played no role in my being there. People should never feel inadequate,” she said.

Also celebrating on Saturday will be Grant Cairncross, a lecturer with the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, who will receive his PhD. His research was focused on the use of casual workers in hotels and resorts, and the effects on service quality.

The occasional speakers for the two ceremonies will be Mrs Elizabeth Ruthnam, the chief executive officer of Baringa Private Hospital, and the Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark.

Ceremony details for Saturday, May 30:

9am

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Education
School of Health and Human Sciences

11.30 am

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples
School of Arts and Social Sciences
School of Environmental Science and Management

Faculty of Business and Law
Graduate College of Management
School of Commerce and Management
School of Law and Justice
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Photo: Merilyn Millman tries on her graduation gown, assisted by Miriam Arneil from the Students' Association.