Media releases

Ballarat’s Civic Hall has hosted rock concerts and dances over the years but never Federation University Australia graduations – until now.

More than 500 students will graduate from Federation University in three ceremonies at Civic Hall next week. The ceremonies will feature a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Among the graduates will be Federation Business School’s Rachael McCann, who was awarded 22 High Distinctions for her Accounting and Business Law double degree. 

Thirteen PhD students who have completed their doctorates in a wide range of research fields will also be honoured during the graduation ceremonies. Their research includes:

• Barriers and Enablers to Women’s Access to Services During Childbearing in Timor Leste, by Rosemary King
• Stay Or Go? Young People’s Agency and Mobility In And Out of Small Towns, by Ember Parkin;
• Managed identities: How Do Australian University Students Who Stutter Negotiate Their Studies?, by Grant Meredith
• From Gold Field to Municipality: The Establishment of Ballarat West 1855 – 1857, by Graeme Cartledge.

The first Civic Hall graduation ceremony will be held from 3:30pm on Tuesday, 3 December, and two more ceremonies will be held the following day.

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett

“We are very excited to host our first graduations at Ballarat’s rejuvenated Civic Hall. It’s a building loved by the Ballarat community and as part of the community, it’s only fitting that we celebrate the achievements of our students there.”

“Graduations are such a special time for the university – it’s a chance to recognise the hard work and achievements of our students, and for them to celebrate that with their family and friends. I wish them all the very best in life and their future careers.”

“We are very proud to be the number one university in Victoria for graduate starting salary and full-time employment. Our graduates can be confident they have the skills and qualifications employers need.”

Quotes attributable to Business School graduate Rachael McCann

“I was excited to return to study as a mature age student many years after I completed my science degree. I have now completed my Accounting and Business Law double degree and I am delighted to graduate - the teachers and staff in the Business School have been amazing and were always trying to get the best out of everyone.”