When Emerald Brophy realized that the date of her Australian graduation was set to clash with her new job in Cracow, she chose the obvious alternative. She would graduate in Fiji instead.

Emerald, by the way, is the daughter of Fred Brophy of Outback boxing troupe fame.

Having completed her Marketing degree at Central Queensland University in Mackay, Queensland, Emerald returned to her hometown of Cracow, where her parents own the local hotel. There she landed herself a truck-driving job with a gold mining company.

“I had been trying to get a job in the mining industry for months. The graduation ceremony in Mackay was scheduled only a month into my new job and I didn\'t want to jeopardize this as it was too soon to apply for leave. So I looked at other options for graduating and thought that Fiji looked good!”.

Like any proud graduand, Emerald was keen to have the ceremony witnessed by family and friends.

“My family and I love to travel and none of us have been to Fiji so I thought it would be a good idea. I’m bringing 10 people altogether. My parents are very happy because they get a holiday, and (they get) to see me graduate!".

At 23, Emerald has earned herself the reputation of being something of an adventurer. She has traveled to Thailand 6 times, as well as venturing to Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and India, where she spent her 21st birthday gazing at the Taj Mahal.

It should have come as no surprise to fellow students that Emerald would opt for something different when it came to her graduation.

“They were very surprised at first; however it is common for me to be a bit different so they laughed! I guess they didn\'t think it was an option to attend a different campus. I saw it as an opportunity because I love to travel\".

Craig Macdonnell is the Graduations Co-Ordinator at CQU FIC, and said the graduation staff was delighted when told of Emerald’s impending visit to Fiji.

“We’re very excited that Emerald has chosen to spend this most important occasion with us. We would invite all future CQU graduands to consider Fiji as the location for their own graduation ceremony!”.

So what does the future hold for this globe-trotting truck driver with a marketing degree and a mad enthusiasm for new challenges?.

“In a couple of years, I want to take a few years off to travel through Europe. For now, it is very difficult to get a job in the mining industry with zero experience ... truck driving is the bottom of the ladder, so this is just the beginning of my career in mining. I have been thinking about completing a diploma of mining engineering or something along those lines. I much prefer to get my hands dirty rather than sit in an office and work 9-5\".

There is no doubt that Emerald will hold true to her plans, just as she fully embodies the meaning behind her name. For not only is Emerald one of the most precious gemstones in the world, it also signifies `a joy for life\'.

Photo: Emerald Brophy celebrates her graduation.