Passion and dedication come to fruition at Brisbane graduations
By Greg Chapman
Hundreds of south-east Queenslanders achieved their dreams and aspirations when they crossed the stage at the 2026 CQUniversity Brisbane graduation ceremonies on 14 August.
The two ceremonies, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcased more than 500 graduates, comprised of higher education (including 13 doctoral graduates) and vocational education and training (VET) students.
Graduates from the School of Business and Law and School of Engineering and Technology featured at the 10am ceremony, while the 2pm ceremony honoured graduates across Education and the Arts, Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, and Research Higher Degree faculties.
Another highlight was the awarding of Emeritus Professor of the University to Professor Moira Williamson – a recognition for her many years as Dean of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences before she retired in 2025.
Guest speaker, ABC journalist and broadcaster Ellen Fanning congratulated the graduates and hoped they would carry one quality with them into their chosen careers.
“The thing I wish I’d been told and I’d love to say to you is: believe in yourself. Today you’re going to leave with a formal qualification, or perhaps for some of you another formal qualification, but I can see from some of you, that each of you has something no certificate can fully capture - your own lived experience, shaped by the places that you’ve come from, the responsibilities you’ve carried, the obstacles that you have navigated and the distinct perspective you bring to the world. Let that experience strengthen your belief in yourself. It’s given you insight, resilience, and a point of view that deserves to be heard.”
Student representatives, Bachelor of Business graduate Lori Stephen and Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography graduate Jalynne Olliffe also gave words of encouragement to their fellow graduates.
“As we leave CQUniversity and begin the next chapter of our lives let us carry forward the resilience, knowledge and experiences that have shaped us. Take a moment today to be proud. Proud of your journey, proud of your achievements and proud of the fact that you kept going. Because after everything we have experienced, everything we have learned and everything we have overcome, we did it!” Lori said.
Jalynne said: “We made it! While today we celebrate the degrees we worked so hard for I think we’ve gained so much more along the way. Beyond the qualification itself, I know I have made lifelong friendships, built meaningful connections and created memories I will carry with me forever.”
The ceremonies also saw doctorates awarded to Dr Janye Graham, Dr Kylie Todhunter, Dr Ronald Addo-Quaye, Dr Lorelle Bowditch, Dr Chantelle Chatham, Dr Brydie Luva, Dr Emma Reid, Dr Alexandra Shriane, Dr Dhanushki Arachchige, Dr Alan Zana, Dr Aaron Sylvian, Dr Dayna Easton, and Dr Wendy Mastin.
In graduating, the successful students joined a 130,000-strong community of CQUniversity alumni across the globe.
