“Take the selfie!” CQU Melbourne graduations mark milestones to remember
Pride was palpable and family was at the heart of huge achievements, as thousands flocked to celebrate two big CQUniversity Melbourne graduation ceremonies on Wednesday.
More than 600 graduates crossed the stage at the Melbourne Convention Centre, cheered on by family, friends, colleagues and CQUniversity supporters.
Guest speaker, Board Chair at Industry Skills Australia, and CQU Business and Management alumnus Catherine Baxter urged graduates to “enjoy the moment, take a deep breath, take the selfie! This is one of those days you’ll want to remember.”
CQU Chancellor Graeme Innes AM paid tribute to the belief of supporters “that helps us find a way through”.
For the majority of graduates, their study journey began by leaving their home country – just the first leap of faith in a brave new chapter.
Graduating with her Master of Public Health, graduate response speaker and Australia Award scholar Henao Rakatani recalled the first tough seven months of her degree, with her children back home in Papua New Guinea, before the family could reunite in Melbourne.
“Even far from our loved ones, we never gave up – we have earned these degrees, and earned so much resilience,” she said.
Now an academic at Divine Word University in her home country, Henao thanked CQUniversity Melbourne lecturers and staff for their “unwavering support” of students.
Graduates represented all five CQUniversity schools, with diverse disciplines including Aviation, Accounting, Laboratory Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Physiology, Business, Engineering and Educational Neuroscience.
Speaking at both ceremonies, Ms Baxter recalled her own CQUniversity studies at Rockhampton, while working, and training for the Army Reserve – requiring weekly road trips to Townsville and back.
Overwhelmed, she considered quitting her studies, until her mother reminded her that learning was a privilege.
Now with decades of executive leadership in the transport and logistics industry, Ms Baxter told students that becoming a CQUniversity alumnus was another privilege.
“CQUniversity alumni are film directors, CEOs, scientists...people changing lives.
“Look at the CQU Alumni webpage – it’s inspiring, and if you’re like me, a little intimidating! But mainly inspiring,” she laughed.
Transcript
Today marks the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and possibly a small fortune spent on coffee!
Whatever your journey, take a deep breath, enjoy the moment, and yes, take a selfie.
This is one of those days where you'll want to remember, and you should have the photographic evidence to show you that you were here dressed in these fabulous outfits.
And finally, remember that success isn't a single moment, a title, or a salary. It's a career and a life, built one decision at a time. Keep making decisions that challenge you, stretch you, and ideally bring you joy.
Congratulations graduates. The world is waiting, and I for one can't wait to see what you will do next. Thank you.
Ms Baxter challenged graduates to get out of their comfort zone, to give back, and to always be learning.
“Keep showing the courage and persistence that got you here — that grit will serve you well,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp told graduations he was equally proud of each one – even with his son Michael crossing the stage with his Master of Business Administration (Leadership).
“This is only the beginning of something far greater, a life of growth, continuous learning, and leadership,” Professor Klomp said.
The ceremonies also saw doctorates awarded, to Dr Jodi Dorney, Dr Pushpitha Sanjeev Wijesekara Abeynayake, Dr Vijayalaxmi Beeravalli, Dr Domenico Lococo, Dr Chetanpal Singh and Dr Varun Yarehalli Chandrappa.
In graduating, the successful students joined a 130,000-strong community of CQUniversity alumni across the globe.
