Hamilton’s first graduate has appetite for Agriculture

Michele Jolliffe will go down in CQUniversity’s history as the first Hamilton graduate.

The now CQUni alumnus was recently awarded her Bachelor of Agriculture after completing the degree via Regional Industries Skill Training (RIST) – a college in Hamilton, Victoria, in which CQUni has a partnership to deliver the degree.

“Prior to enrolling with CQUni I had looked at other universities to complete an Agriculture degree by distance and the requirement to attend residential schools for weeks at a time just didn’t suit me,” Mrs Jolliffe explained.

“The option to complete the degree online and have local practical sessions at Hamilton was the key to me choosing CQUni.”

While running a mixed livestock enterprise near Merino, Victoria, Mrs Jolliffe also worked full-time off-farm as a Dairy Extension Officer with Agriculture Victoria.

“So time is at a premium! I have been very fortunate with the support I had from my husband, as it could be challenging at times to fit in lectures, assignments, family, farm and work commitments,” she said.

“On the odd occasion when I seriously wondered about my sanity, he would always help me see the big picture and remind me why it would be worth it in the end. I was also extremely lucky to have fantastic support from my managers at work to be able to fit my work schedule around the practical sessions that came up in different subjects.”

CQUniversity Associate Vice-Chancellor of the Victoria Region Lara Carton said the University looked forward to continuing its strong commitment to the partnership with RIST.

“It’s great to have so many students studying diverse degrees with us in Victoria,” Ms Carton said.

“We are proud to have strong partnerships with industry in regional Victoria, including this wonderful partnership in Hamilton with RIST as well as a partnership in nursing education with Western District Health Service (WDHS).”

Mrs Jolliffe said choosing a career in agriculture was a given.

“As a person who has been actively involved in agriculture all my life, I couldn’t think of a better industry to be involved in,” she said.

“The passion and innovation that is in the agricultural sector is second-to-none and it is a wonderful industry to be part of.  I have been working in agricultural research and extension for more than 20 years and the agricultural industry and its people never cease to inspire me.”

Mrs Jolliffe, 43, said she decided to complete an undergraduate degree in the field as she wanted to update her skills and qualifications.

“This was my first degree – took me a while to get around to doing one,” she laughed.

“I really did enjoy looking at topics from a different perspective - as a mature aged student, that has worked in the agricultural sector for so long, you tend to have certain worldviews - the degree challenged me to think more broadly about issues that are facing the ag sector.”

As for the future?

“I just want to continue working in this amazing industry that is agriculture.”