The guest speaker’s voice at the CQU Bundaberg Graduation Ceremony was familiar to many ABC listeners.

ABC journalist and past CQU student Phil Smith recalled his own graduation from the then Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (now CQU).

“It was 1979 when it all began and it ended for me with a degree majoring in Media Studies and Journalism. I really enjoyed my days as a student. At CIAE we had our own television studio and in my final year I shot my first 16mm film.

“Graduates from CQU still have a reputation for hands on capability when they arrive on the media industry’s doorstop." He remembers the eighties as a time of record unemployment in Queensland.

“I took my arts degree and went labouring, fencing and started as an advertising copy writer for APN. I moved to Townsville’s radio 4TO in 1984 and began a cadetship that lasted 6 weeks. After a year in radio news the ABC approached me. Aunty was launching The National and that’s where I began my television career.” Now an ABC journalist, RAAF Reservist and author, Phil Smith, is the Senior Field Producer at 612 ABC Brisbane. He tracks down stories for 612ABC and other ABC local radio Queensland stations and the station website.

He encouraged graduates to go on a journey and be both leaders and followers.