Recent CQU graduate Joan Heron has proven it's never too late for a new career, with a journey culminating in a new job as a community health social worker, at the age of 60. 

The wife and mother of 2 (and grandmother of 4) said she was thrilled to graduate from university (in March) despite the challenges along the way, and was looking forward to her new status in the workforce.

Joan Heron

Joan was born in New Zealand in a family of 8 children and left school just before the age of 15 to take up hairdressing.

"In October 1966 I married my life-long partner, Gordon, and the next 10 years saw many changes, the first and foremost was becoming a wife and in due time, mother of 2 girls," she says.

"Also during this time I undertook a Playcentre Supervisors course. This was a 2-year course which I completed in 18 months and gained a Certificate of Supervision from the Central Districts Play Centres Association. This allowed me to supervise children from 2 to 5 years of age in play centres (equivalent to kindergartens) throughout New Zealand.

"During this time, my husband completed his contract with the New Zealand Air Force and we subsequently relocated back to my home town, in Nelson. It was here that we eventually purchased our first business which led to the gaining of many new skills. In 1977 we sold that business and relocated to Adelaide, South Australia.

"We arrived in Australia with 2 children (10 and 8 years), 4 suitcases, 4 sleeping bags, and limited finances to start a new life.

"During our 4 years in Adelaide I utilized my hairdressing knowledge managing hairdressing salons and honing my communication, training and selling skills.

"In 1981, due to my husband's work, we relocated to Brisbane, Queensland, where over a time span of 10 years I worked for Waltons, purchased a hairdressing salon and sold it 3 years later, took up sales/management position in advertising and finally worked as a nurse assistant at Wolston Park Psychiatric hospital.

"In 1991 my husband and I sold our home and travelled around Australia for 18 months. This was a wonderful experience as we explored many parts of Australia. But all good things come to an end and in late 1992 we purchased a small country store at Ubobo in Central Queensland.

"During the 6 years we owned this business we became very involved in the community and I was active in the Lions Club, Queensland Country Women Association and the Ubobo Progress Association where I held positions of president and secretary in all 3.

"Our time at Ubobo came to an end in 1998 when we sold this business and took up where we left off in our travels around Australia. After 12 months on the road we took up a position on Kilto Station, a cattle and horticulture property 100km east of Broome, W.A. as the semi-retired couple; where we were involved in planting, grading and packing sweet potatoes.

"Eventually, the call of the ‘family' contributed to our decision to return to Queensland and in 2001 we purchased a home in Cawarral, Central Queensland.

"On our return to Queensland it came somewhat of a shock to discover that work was not going to be so easily found for either myself or my husband. With some reluctance I turned to my old standby, hairdressing. However, this was not in my mind a long-term option and after talking to my youngest daughter Tracey, who had just recently completed her nursing degree as a mature-aged student through CQU Mackay campus I decided to apply for a place in the STEPS program run by CQU.

"Much to my surprise and delight I was accepted. Consequently, in 2002 I undertook the STEPS program at CQU on a part-time basis, (2 nights a week for 9 months) whilst managing the Bella na Belis hairdressing salon in Rockhampton.

"I passed all but one of my subjects with high distinction and this gave me the confidence to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Social Work Degree being offered on flexible mode. At the end of my second year of study with a grade point average 6.33 I was invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society and I also gained a scholarship with Queensland Rural Health. I entered my fourth year of study with a grade point average of 6 (out of a possible 7) and was invited to undertake an Honours Program, which I accepted.

"Being the only sibling to graduate from university was a great thrill for me and also for my family, including my brothers and sisters who encouraged me from the sidelines and made my graduation day very special by arriving in force to help me celebrate the occasion. From a personal view this journey has in the main been exciting, but there were frustrations and issues to work through as well. However, with the support of my husband, Gordon and daughters Susanne and Tracey, I managed to survive the university journey and have now embarked on a new journey as a community health social worker based in Gayndah, for Queensland Health in the Wide Bay district."