Bundaberg's Delwyn Wissmann and her daughter Katrina Johnston have reached a fresh milestone in a journey they started together more than 10 years ago, when they both enrolled in CQUniversity's preparatory program called STEPS in 2001. They both believe that STEPS gave them the confidence to continue on in their quest for a university degree.

Delwyn Wissmann (left) and Katrina Johnston enjoy their graduation milestone

This month (April 14), Katrina graduated with a bachelor degree in Informatics (with Distinction) and her mum Delwyn graduated with an associate degree in Multimedia Studies. In addition to this, Katrina earned a Bundaberg Sunrise Rotary Club award for having the highest Grade Point Average among graduates from her local region. This additional award has further reinforced to Katrina that age and family commitments are no barrier to success.

Katrina and Delwyn studied most of their courses together and found having someone to 'bounce ideas off' to be invaluable. They also found that this experience brought them closer together as they both experienced the highs and lows of university study.

Delwyn acknowledges that her learning journey through STEPS and university has had a ripple effect throughout her entire family.  Her eldest daughter was also inspired to complete a degree and is now completing her masters and teaching in the STEPS program on the Bundaberg campus.

"Not only have two of my daughters completed their bachelor degrees but my youngest daughter has completed a three-year course in Beauty Therapy and has started her own business in that time as well."

Delwyn says she has always believed that people need to learn throughout their lives and keep up with the changes in technology.

"Studying at university has allowed me to step up to that challenge," she says.

Delwyn Wissmann (left) and Katrina Johnston enjoy their graduation milestone

Now considering retirement, Delwyn says the knowledge gained will continue to be useful for her own interests and her continuing ability to support her grandchildren.  This journey has given her a thirst for knowledge and she believes that she will never stop learning and will continue to be an advocate for education, no matter her age. 

Mother-of-four Katrina says she has worked in a number of jobs over the years, from packing tomatoes and live-in nanny through to packing shelves at Franklins. When she had children, she decided that she wanted to be around for them but she also didn't want to be in a dead-end job.  It was at this point that she decided to study part-time while the children were young. The Informatics degree has given her the opportunity to take on a larger work role in a career that she enjoys now that her children are all of school age.

Katrina says that the knowledge gained in her degree is now being used in her position as a Graphic Designer at Mango4 Office Technology and is a direct result of her studies.  She has even played a part in her boss' decision to undertake a Multimedia degree.

"The Maths courses have enabled me to support my children and my nieces and nephews through both primary and high school studies, while the IT courses have opened the world of web design." 

Katrina also said that she found a hobby in photography and this was due to the photographic course they did as a part of their studies. She has continued on and now does wedding photography for family and friends and gets great enjoyment from both the photography and photo editing.

"I have gone on to enter photos in a number of competitions and have been instrumental in starting a photo competition at work," she says.

"Over the years, the children have watched me study and I hope it has shown them that if you put the effort in you can do well in anything you try."

Katrina says she has even done some paid projects through the University, including one involving creation of a horticulture industry DVD.

"Alongside a couple of other students, we travelled all over Australia to film and interview various people in the horticulture industry and created a DVD of those interviews to encourage school leavers to join the industry," she said.

Both women are mindful and thankful for the support that their husbands gave them over the years that they dedicated to study. 

"We both hope that others will be inspired to take the step and put aside any doubts about their ability to complete a degree.  We did it, and others can do it also."

The next STEPS intake testing and information event in Bundaberg is May 10, with details via Wendy Davis on 4150 7135.

Prospective undergraduate or postgraduate students will be welcomed to special Mid-Year Events at most CQUni campuses from 3pm-7pm on May 24. Details will be available soon via http://www.cqu.edu.au/midyear or right now at 13 27 86 .