CQU Rockhampton's graduation on Tuesday evening (March 4) included honours for an education leader, an inspirational teacher and a prominent broadcaster and 260 graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees.

MC Dave Cardnell with Colin Munro, after conferral of his honorary degree

The degree of Honorary Doctor of Education was conferred on Joe McCorley for his distinguished career as a teacher, educational administrator and leader.

Mr McCorley, who was guest speaker for the graduation, was Executive Director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission from 2001-2006. His outstanding career-long contribution to education has been recognised through awards such as the Order of Australia Medal, the Centenary Medal and his position as a Fellow of the Australian College of Education.

The degree of Honorary Master of Communication was conferred on former ABC senior manager and national broadcaster Colin Munro, who has made a major contribution to the development of Australian literature and broadcasting over a 40-year period.

Mr Munro, known for roles with 'Australia All Over' and 'A Big Country', received the Order of Australia Medial last year for service to regional Australia and is associated with the University through his support for CQU Press.

The Vice-Chancellor's Teacher of the Year Award was presented to respected nursing lecturer Kerry Reid-Searl.

Teacher of the Year Kerry Reid-Searl with family supporters

The Rockhampton-based lecturer is renowned for enhancing understanding through humorous role play, for narrating experiences from her extensive and continuing hospital work and for producing teaching aids including nationally-popular text books, CD Roms, websites and interactive displays. She is also an active researcher and conference presenter who is recognised for her nursing expertise.  More at: Nursing lecturer's love of learning proves contagious 

University Medallist and recipient of The Chancellor Stan Jones Scholarship, Amy Suthers (Bachelor of Biomedical Science with First Class Honours) also delivered a response on behalf of graduates.

Faculty Medalists attending this ceremony included Waling Waling Salome Gorospe Ebro (Bachelor of Learning Management [Primary] with Distinction) and Sharyn Moodie (Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Distinction). Narelle Lesley Essam (Bachelor of Business [Accounting] with Distinction) will attend the Bundaberg ceremony.

PhDs were awarded to:

BLM (Secondary) graduate Tamara Poole celebrates with family members

James Douglas (How recording "shattered" representation:  the emergence and transformation of musical short films);

Lois Ruth Irvin (Teacher conceptions of student engagement in learning:  A phenomenographic investigation);

Eridani Mulder (Detailed study of the parasite fauna occurring in the closed water python/dusky rat ecosystem on the Adelaide R. floodplain N.T., including construction of parasite life-cycles and examination of parasite host interactions); and

Robert Henry O'Sullivan (Vocational education reforms 1987 - 2000:  Viable education or education management?)

The graduation will be held from 6pm at the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle in Norman Road.

Chancellor Rennie Fritschy confers the honorary degree on Joe McCorley, OAM
Sainiana Waqainabete came all the way from Fiji
BLM (Japanese) graduate Angela Holm celebrates
Dr Donna Brien congratulates Dr Robert O'Sullivan on his PhD
Karyn Thompson celebrates her BLM (Early Childhood) degree