The CQUniversity Gladstone graduation ceremony this week provided the first of several opportunities planned to recognise the 35th anniversary of the University's presence in the harbour city...

Stalwarts and supporters of Gladstone Campus L-R Dr Grace Johansen, former Mayor Peter Corones, Marian Metcalfe, Rex Metcalfe, Dr Andrew Wallace and Chancellor Rennie FritschyThe 34 graduating students received a special anniversary pin and the guest address came from foundation head of campus Rex Metcalfe, who spent 18 years building CQUniversity's presence in Gladstone until he retired in 2001.

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Learning Management graduate Kyle Stein delivered the closing address on behalf of graduates.  

In a change from recent tradition, the ceremony was held on campus in the Leo Zussino Building instead of at the local entertainment centre.

Before arriving in Gladstone, Mr Metcalfe taught in high schools in New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji, before joining the staff at the University of the South Pacific in 1969.  Subsequently he worked for UNESCO as a mathematics education curriculum consultant in Botswana before returning to the University of the South Pacific in 1975.  In 1977 he was appointed to the staff of Macquarie University in Sydney.

The ceremony was hosted in the Leo Zussino Building

In 1984, Mr Metcalfe relocated to Gladstone to manage the local Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (CIAE) campus which was located in a small office on the Dawson Highway.

At the time, only one program was offered, the Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering, and student numbers were limited to 30 as a result of space constraints.

With Rex's experience and vision, the campus rapidly expanded, instigating the need to relocate to the current site of the Gladstone Marina.  The CIAE became Central Queensland University in 1994.

At the time of Mr Metcalfe's retirement the Gladstone campus had grown to cater for over 700 students enrolled in over 10 undergraduate and four postgraduate programs. The campus has also become a site for significant research.

 
Dave Guy graduates with an OHS degree, supported by daughter Alicia Leitner (left) and friend Teneille Jensen. Dave has been working at Gladstone LNG as a risk coordinator on Curtis Island and is now enrolled as a psychology student 
The first graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Project and Program Management  
Bachelor of Learning Management graduate Naomi Harris passes on her love of education to her eight-year-old daughter Maddison. 
Wayne Boyd received his PhD by establishing a protocol for assessing ecosystem rehabiliation success on open cut coal mines

Judith Hiskens, Ryl Gardner and Professor Chad Hewitt at the 35th Anniversary Luncheon in Gladstone