Media releases

More than 480 Federation University Australia university students will celebrate their achievements at graduation ceremonies in Gippsland and Berwick this week.

They will be among more than 1200 graduates across the University’s campuses to mark the academic milestone in front of family, friends and classmates in March.

In Gippsland, graduate speaker Jessica Kelly will invite her peers to take pride in all they have achieved and to acknowledge the friends and family who have helped them reach graduation.

A paediatric nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Jessica is now putting her Graduate Diploma of Midwifery into practice, working as a midwife at Frankston Hospital.

“After working as a paediatric nurse, I thought midwifery would really complement paediatrics,” Jessica said.

“I find women’s health really interesting and am passionate about advocating for women to empower and support them into motherhood.”

Jessica completed her graduate diploma through Federation’s block mode of study – where students study online, with blocks of on-campus learning.

“It was really good to have the same group of people studying on campus at the same time, connecting with a small group of people and hearing their stories.”

Among those at Berwick’s graduation ceremony will be Bachelor of Community and Human Services graduate Danielle Lewis, who is now working in the sector where she feels like she’s making a difference to people’s lives.

“It's very meaningful work and that gives me a sense that I'm contributing in some way,” Danielle said.

“Community and Human Services was a really good general degree where I could build a much broader range of skills. It helped broaden my knowledge base of the sector.”

“I also felt that being a smaller university, there was more one-on-one time. It was a much more intimate experience and you get to know your lecturers and tutors.”

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

“Graduations are a special time for students to gather with their family and friends and take great pride in all they have achieved.”

“We are delighted to see our graduates celebrate their success and carry their knowledge and passion into their communities.”