A graduation ceremony will be held for 41 Central Queensland University students this Saturday.

CQU Gladstone Head of Campus, Associate Professor Robert Prater said Gladstone residents were asked to support the city’s newest graduates by watching the graduate procession prior to the ceremony.

“At 1:15pm on Saturday all graduates and CQU staff will walk along Goondoon Street from in front of the Council Chambers to the Entertainment Centre, led by a bagpiper.

“Graduation day is a very special time for both the graduates and their families and the procession is becoming a very symbolic part of the ceremony,” Assoc Prof Prater said.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, Dr Grace Johansen will address the graduates.

This year’s celebrations have a special focus with the campus celebrating 25 years in Gladstone. “Following the graduation ceremony we will be holding a ceremony to recognise the organisations and individuals who have made the campus so successful,” Assoc Prof Prater said.

Presentations will be made to long term Gladstone Advisory Committee members, industry partners and individual supporters and sponsors.

Recognition medals will also be awarded to the families of the late Reg Tanna, Col Brown, Bruce Hiskens and Sid Durrington (who all served on CQU Gladstone’s advisory committee in the 80’s and 90’s).