Newby trio the latest in long CQU legacy
The Newby family is living proof of CQUniversity’s positive impact upon the Rockhampton community, with three young members set to cross the graduation stage – continuing a legacy going back decades.
Elizabeth (20), Nathanael (26) and Felicity (22) are the latest Newby graduands, with the trio saying they are proud to bolster the family’s connection with CQU.
Elizabeth, who completed a traineeship with CQU’s International Directorate in the CQUGlobal Outbound Team, will graduate with a Certificate III in Business Administration.
“I’m very excited (to graduate). It opened many opportunities within the University and helped me realise what’s important for me in a career,” she said.
She is now studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at CQU.
“I am excited to celebrate (my brother’s and sister’s wins). I’m especially proud of them as they have been the inspiration to do the hard work, motivating me to push through my higher education studies.”
Nathanael will be graduating with a Bachelor of Laws.
“It's a bit of a double-edged sword as I realise how much more there is to learn in practice. I am currently undertaking further studies with the College of Law and hope to obtain my practicing certificate ultimately and be admitted into the legal profession,” he said.
Nathanael is now employed at the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) after engaging with the Community Legal Centre (CLC) as a volunteer observer.
“As the eldest, I’ll admit there’s a small part of me that misses having the spotlight to myself," he joked.
"But in all seriousness, I feel an immense sense of pride knowing that they’ve faced their own challenges to get here today, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything we’ve accomplished together. Graduation is certainly going to be one incredible celebration.”
Felicity said she was very excited and proud to be graduating with a Bachelor of Paramedical Science and that it felt “incredibly special” to graduate alongside her brother and sister.
“Graduating is a moment that represents not just the completion of study, but the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with possibility, growth and the chance to step into the career I've been working towards,” she said.
“I love to help people and the way paramedics can be calm even in the middle of chaos inspires me. There's something incredibly meaningful about being the person who shows up on someone's worst day and brings reassurance, comfort and care when everything else feels overwhelming.
“I'm looking forward to what the future holds and to putting everything I've learned into real practice. It's a surreal and rewarding feeling to finally reach this milestone and it motivates me even more for what comes next.”
Their father Adrian has been a Hospitality and Cookery chef teacher with CQU for 15 years, and congratulated his children on completing their studies.
“By now you would have realised we talk ‘shop’ (the Uni) around the kitchen dinner table, and this is a theme of all family gatherings.
"It has been a massive part of all our lives, it is almost a religion (and way of life),” he said.
“My hope was that all the kids would pursue further studies with CQU, and the serendipitous result of all three graduating at once is not by grand design.
"Having a remote and rural university is one of the things that gives this Rocky community added value for lifestyle.”
Their grandfather Robert Newby is an Adjunct Research Fellow at CQU and previously an Associate Dean (Applied Science) and the Head of School (Biology and Environmental Science), and also praised his grandchildren’s success.
“I am immensely proud of course to see all three grandchildren kicking off their careers through their CQU studies,” he said.
“It has been great to watch the evolving face of this institution as it transitioned from Capricorn Institute of Advanced Education (CIA) to CQU across my career here.”
Their grandmother Leonce also has a connection to CQU, having achieved her PhD with the University. She also lectured in Education and Business and Law and worked in STEPS and briefly, with Indigenous program Nulloo Yumba.
“CQUni has played an important role in the Rockhampton Newby family's education…it could be stated that there is a Newby dynasty within CQU,” Dr Newby said.
“CQU's culture of supporting and caring for students is only possible with a dedicated group of people on staff. During my years of teaching at CQU, I forged, and have maintained, deep friendships among these excellent educators, despite my distance and time away from Rockhampton.”
In addition to Adrian being a teacher at CQU, his sisters Allison and Katherine also studied at the University, with Allison now an electrical engineer and Katherine a nurse educator.
Rockhampton graduation ceremonies
CQUniversity will hold two graduation ceremonies at the CQU Community Sports Centre in Rockhampton on Thursday, 4 December.
Ceremony one will start at 10am and will include graduates from the School of Business and Law, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, and the first half of a record 17 PhD graduates. Ceremony two is from 2pm and includes graduates from the School of Education and the Arts, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences and the second half of the PhD graduates including Research Higher Degree graduates.
Explore your course options at the CQUniversity website.
