When Kelly Beckett moved to Bundaberg four years ago with her husband and three children she had no idea of what lay ahead for her.

Kelly’s husband, David, is a police officer, which meant the family had spent many years travelling throughout Queensland. In 1998, they chose Bundaberg as a base, with time to settle down for a while and to consider their future options.

Kelly arrived in Bundaberg with a background in educational administration, having worked in school offices for many years. Looking in the newspaper for a job, she glanced across a story on Central Queensland University’s STEPS program (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies). Immediately she knew that it was a “step” she wanted to take.

David knew that Kelly would go on and reap the rewards of her decision.

“Kelly had always wanted to further her study, but with my job she just didn’t get the chance. Seeing the STEPS story was the catalyst for her to achieve her ambitions,” he said.

Four years later, the family is very proud of their mum and wife and helped her celebrate her graduation and outstanding achievements last weekend.

Not only has Kelly achieved her goal of a Business degree, but she has also won the Bundaberg Campus Graduation Medal, awarded annually to the CQU Bundaberg graduating student who not only has an outstanding academic record in an undergraduate study program but has also made a significant contribution to the University community.

Kelly also picked up the CPA Australia – Bundaberg Branch Prize awarded to the Bundaberg graduate achieving the highest grade in the Accounting plan of the Bachelor of Business program and the Rotary Club of Bundaberg – Sunrise Prize in Business & Law for having the highest weighted grade across all undergraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Business & Law.

For Kelly the surprise of the awards and the completion of her degree mean the end of a great time as a university student, but not the end of her studying. She is currently completing a diploma in financial management and plans to complete her honours in the future.

Coincidentally, David also graduated alongside his wife. He successfully completed a Graduate Certificate in Management. But he’s keen to see the accolades flow Kelly’s way.

“Saturday was Kelly’s day, she worked hard and we are all incredibly proud of her achievements.”