Graduation guest speaker Patrice Brown found a personal way of illustrating that the pathway of learning is not necessarily predictable, as she inspired graduates at CQUniversity's Rockhampton ceremony.

Now a successful business owner, Patrice grew up on a cattle property and initially struggled with her reading skills as a correspondent student until her mother brought home a pile of second-hand comics.

Graduation guest speaker Patrice Brown with one of her employees who graduated at the ceremony, Shiralee Wright

So it was that an education built on The Phantom and Archie spawned a successful career in commercial property and the agricultural and professional services sectors, culminating in the success of consulting firm CQG (now the largest environmental consultancy in regional Queensland with over 25 employees).

Patrice told how she has always juggled study, work and family life, drawing on the flexibility of external studies. Her many tertiary qualifications include a Masters in Engineering from UNSW and a Chemistry degree from CQUniversity.

"I've had the privilege of working for and with and employing many graduates of this University," she said, noting that one of her current employees, Shiralee Wright, was among the assembled graduates.

Patrice spoke of the valuable commodity of time and stressed that life is about making choices to use that time effectively to 'be what you want to be'!

"Despite the global turmoil, we live in a nation and a region that is full of diversity and opportunities," she said.

"If you do have dreams beyond this region then by all means fly away and follow them but always be proud of Central Queensland and be proud to be a graduate of this University!"