CQU’s first mother and daughter pair to graduate from Nursing, Rosaleen Harp and Anne-Marie Newton, attended the recent STEPS 20th Anniversary celebrations in Rockhampton.

The function brought back many memories for the pair who may be the only mother and daughter pair to begin and complete the same degree together at CQU.

Rosaleen completed STEPS in 1989 and later enrolled in CQU’s first available Nursing program which came as an unexpected surprise to her daughter who had also enrolled in the program.

Rosaleen recalls they were very competitive throughout their degrees, but became the best of mates. They finished their degrees in 1992 and graduated in 1993.

“I remember Stan Jones’ comment to us when we graduated: ‘you do us proud this day’.” This was enough to bring tears to Rosaleen’s eyes along with the greatest sense of achievement.

Rosaleen had worked 30 years in pharmacy before beginning her nursing degree and Anne-Marie had worked as an enrolled nurse at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The pair both wanted to obtain formal qualifications so they could move forward into successful careers.

Since graduation the mother and daughter have worked in a number of nursing settings in Rockhampton, both in public and private hospitals. Rosaleen spent much of her nursing career caring for patients in intensive care, a very demanding but rewarding area of nursing.

Rosaleen has since retired after spending 12 years as a nurse, while Anne-Marie is a quality officer for Queensland Health at the Rockhampton Hospital.

Rosaleen and her husband Keith will this week leave Rockhampton after spending 64 years in the city. They are heading south to Morayfield, near Caboolture, to spend their retirement.

Photo: Rosaleen Harp and her daughter Anne-Marie Newton at their graduation in 1993.