Media releases

Federation University graduates will be able to celebrate face-to-face at the first in-person graduation ceremonies in more than a year.

Students who could not attend graduation ceremonies in 2020 due to COVID-19 will join new graduates for a series of small graduation ceremonies across Federation’s campuses.

Ceremonies will be held in Ballarat from today until 23 April, following graduations at the Gippsland and Berwick campuses last week where more than 400 graduates celebrated their achievements.

More than 700 students will attend nine Ballarat ceremonies, including semi-elite athlete Blaire Gillies who suffered an injury in the second year of her exercise science studies, tearing her pericardium and suffering heart attack-like symptoms.

She overcame this adversity and will graduate this month while also celebrating being accepted into her Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Federation.

This week will also see a mum, dad and son graduate together after completing their studies last year.

Helen Ryan has completed a Graduate Certificate of Health (Workplace Health & Safety), Caius Ryan has finished a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Brenton Ryan has completed his Bachelor of Business (Management).

This month’s graduation ceremonies follow a virtual graduation acknowledgement in October 2020 when graduates were unable to come together for in-person ceremonies due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“Federation University students have shown incredible resilience over many months, whether adapting to a new mode of learning or completing a work placement during the pandemic, in order to pursue their dreams with great determination.”

“It is absolutely wonderful to see graduates coming together with their family and friends to celebrate this achievement at graduation ceremonies across our campuses.”

“I am so proud that our students have successfully battled the pandemic and that we have been able to provide them with the skills that employers need so our graduates can make their mark in their communities.”