Finding voice as Melbourne marks milestones to remember
Pride swelled and family was at the heart of huge achievements, as thousands flocked to celebrate two big CQUniversity Melbourne graduation ceremonies on Wednesday 12 August.
Nearly 500 graduates crossed the stage at the Melbourne Convention Centre, cheered on by family, friends, colleagues and CQUniversity supporters.
Master of Public Heath graduate Hirusha Kiriarachchige captured the feeling in her whole-hearted graduate response speech: “A dream is just a dream until you decide to make it real.”
The first-in-family international student from Sri Lanka encouraged every graduate to reflect on their journey.
“Take a moment to look back…the moment you received that offer letter, and for many international students the heart-wrenching day you left your family, your friends and everything familiar.”
“Quiet battle” won
The passionate ambassador paid tribute to the CQU community for inspiring her to “find a voice” in leadership roles.
“I’m forever grateful to our lecturers who ignited our curiosity…and helped us continue to grow,” Hirusha said.
“Every single graduate in this room has fought a quiet battle to be here today.”
Acknowledging supporters
At both ceremonies, CQU Chancellor Graeme Innes AM paid tribute to the determination of graduates, and the belief of supporters “that helps us find a way through”.
For Master of Engineering (Mechanical) graduate Harsh Gandhi and graduate response speaker, that meant acknowledge his parents - who travelled from India for the first time to be in the audience.
“They believe in us even when we doubt ourselves,” he said.
Students also acknowledged generous donors that support CQUniversity Scholarships.
Paramedic Science graduate Amelia Hurt travelled from South Australia for the event.
Her studies were supported by the CQUniCares Scott Williams Foundation Placement Bursary, and the passionate paramedic said the support was a gamechanger for completing placements and achieving a career with SA Ambulance.
Medical Sonography graduate Joey Ung thanked the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) for supporting her ASA Sonography Academic Excellence Prize.
Graduates represented all five CQUniversity schools, with diverse disciplines including Aviation, Accounting, Laboratory Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Physiology, Business, Engineering and Educational Neuroscience.
The event also recognised 11 new Doctors of Philosophy: Dr Gopi Akella, Dr Rahima Akter, Dr Nimeshika Aloysius, Dr Nazeh Baarini, Dr Kylie de Klerk, Dr Chanruni Mudiyanselage, Dr Arun Doppalapudi, Dr AKM Hoque, Dr Zhan Koh, Dr Melvin Ramkhelawan and Dr Celia Tinetti.
In graduating, the successful students joined a 130,000-strong community of CQUniversity Alumni across the globe.
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