Melbourne graduates shine bright

Published: 14 September 2026

From securing a graduate position in speech pathology to researching climate-related greenhouse gas emissions, Southern Cross University's latest graduates are preparing to make their mark in diverse professions and industries.

The Class of 2026 celebrated a significant milestone at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday 11 September, marking the completion of their studies and the beginning of their next chapter.

For the 370 graduates receiving their testamurs, the day marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Years of study, placement, research and personal growth have equipped them for careers across education, healthcare, science, engineering, research, business and community services.

Turning passion into a profession

Among the graduates celebrating was Bachelor of Speech Pathology graduate Blyss Lowe, whose passion for connecting with people led her to a rewarding career in allied health.

"I've always been a people person," Blyss said.

Female with blonde hair in graduation robe and cap in front of flowers

"After finishing school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career where working with people and helping them was at the heart of what I did. After researching different career options, I came across speech pathology and it felt like the perfect fit.

"I chose Southern Cross because it offered Speech Pathology as an undergraduate course, meaning I could start straight from high school. I also loved the location and couldn't get past the amazing ocean views at the Gold Coast campus," she said.

A memorable student experience

During her studies, Blyss became a familiar face around campus as a Southern Cross University Student Ambassador, balancing the role alongside coursework and clinical placements.

"Being an SCU Student Ambassador was one of the best parts of my university journey. I met and worked alongside some amazing students and staff at so many different events. Whether it was supporting Open Day or helping at community events, I thoroughly enjoyed the role and had so much fun along the way," she said.

Blyss said balancing study, placement and ambassador responsibilities came down to good time management, a strong support network and knowing when to prioritise self-care.

"It was incredibly helpful to have such great support from my tutors and lecturers. The Student Ambassador role also gave me the flexibility to take on shifts around my studies and placements, which made it much easier to balance everything."

A full-circle moment

A highlight of Blyss' degree was completing the required 1,000 hours of clinical placement, including a final-year paediatric placement that helped shape her future career plans.

"I never knew if I wanted to work with the paediatric population, however this placement experience opened my eyes to the wonderful, fun and rewarding world of paediatric speech pathology," she said.

"Being able to support families and children to achieve their communication goals is truly so fulfilling and has shown me just how meaningful our work is as speech pathologists."

After graduation, Blyss will begin a graduate role as a paediatric speech pathologist with the same organisation where she completed her final placement.

"It's a very full-circle moment," she said.

Two males and one female wearing graduation caps and gown — Dr William Terry, Dr Natalie Sunner and Dr Micha Nebel at the 2026 Melbourne Graduation Ceremony

Discovery beyond the laboratory

Three Doctor of Philosophy graduates were also recognised at the Melbourne graduation ceremony.

Their research explored topics ranging from greenhouse gas emissions in Australia's waterways and curriculum reform in regional and remote Queensland schools, to conservation strategies for the threatened brush-tailed phascogale in Victoria.

Among them was Dr Micha Nebel, whose thesis, Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Non-Perennial Streams, investigated one of the world's most common but least understood freshwater ecosystems.

Non-perennial streams are waterways that periodically stop flowing and dry out. They make up around 70 per cent of Australia's river networks and approximately half of waterways globally.

Dr Nebel's research examined greenhouse gas emissions from nine non-perennial streams across subtropical Australia, helping improve understanding of their contribution to the global carbon and nitrogen cycle.

"The findings highlight that wetting and drying dynamics are a key missing piece in understanding greenhouse gas emissions from inland waters," Dr Nebel said.

Fieldwork, friendships and 'Macca rats'

Reflecting on his PhD journey, Dr Nebel said fieldwork was the highlight of the experience. "Planning and executing fieldwork were challenging but also the most rewarding part," he said.

"I worked with a great group of motivated researchers who supported each other during field measurements, often taking place in stunning environments.

"Overnight measurements were the most exhausting, but in the time between sampling, we'd play music, play cards and share stories. These are the moments I will always remember fondly."

Among the many unexpected experiences during his research, one memory stands out.

"We were sampling a creek in a macadamia orchard overnight when I heard loud chewing," he said.

"I pointed my headtorch toward the noise and saw a rat sitting in a tree, eating a macadamia nut."

After looking away briefly, he was surprised to discover the animal had moved.

"The next thing I knew, I felt movement on my leg. Looking down, I saw, in shock, the rat climbing up my leg. I shook it off and then ran back to camp.

"From that moment on, we were always on the lookout for 'Macca rats'," he said.

“Overnight measurements were the most exhausting, but in the time between sampling, we'd play music, play cards and share stories. These are the moments I will always remember fondly.”

Dr Nebel credited his supervisors, research colleagues and technical staff for supporting him throughout his PhD.

"My four supervisors, Associate Professor Judith Rosentreter, Associate Professor Joanne Oakes, Dr Naomi Wells and Professor Brad Eyre, were great mentors and a real source of support throughout my PhD journey," he said.

"I was fortunate to be part of the Coastal Biogeochemistry group, where I could exchange ideas and find an amazing support system."

Now working as a laboratory technician in the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Monash University, Dr Nebel hopes to secure a postdoctoral research position next year.