James Lindley, who graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business HRM awards last Saturday, is believed to be the oldest STEPS graduate to complete a double degree. He is now 65.

"I managed to pass grade 8 (scholarship it was called in those days) with 52%. At least it was a pass and even though it was my second try," he recalled.

"My parents arranged an apprenticeship for me as a panel-beater and this probably was a highlight in their lives; their son was going to be a tradesman. "I was injured at work in 1997 and forced out of the workforce with a disability. I polished a bar-stool for three years, until I thought that there must be more to life than drinking it away.

"For the life of me I don’t know why I applied to do the STEPS course at CQU; I didn’t know what a computer was.

"I did it because I wanted to do it, but I will always be grateful to those STEPS lecturers because without their teaching ability, their dedication and their encouragement, and the encouragement of fellow STEPS students, I would never have passed the STEPS course and entered university.

"My future? I have decided to complete a Master of Letters degree before accepting employment. Best of all, I will die with more letters after my name than just ‘R.I.P.’ on my tombstone.

"I don’t believe that a person’s age or most disabilities will prevent a person from graduating from university. You can do it; apply to do the STEPS course now."