Mackay-based Lorne Thurgar is looking forward to progressing in the new Graduate Diploma of Learning Management (Executive Leadership), expecting it will draw together his previous career training and life experiences to produce his first formal qualification.

Lorne left school in Year 10 to enter the Navy and later spent 17 years in the Federal Police. He also ran a business in Brisbane.

Lorne in his Federal Police days, flying into the Solomon Islands in relation to Fraud and Corruption Investigations at a plantation

"I have accumulated many different skills from both life experience and courses undertaken in my 2 previous careers, however I had no formal qualifications," he said.

Now a Project Manager with Anderson Group (a mining support company), Lorne said he also volunteered as an instructor with the Mackay Naval Cadets to help introduce young people to Navy life.

He has also been appointed as a Justice of the Peace after completing his JP (Qual) course.

Lorne is also an avid inventor with a product due to go on sale around Australia soon.

"The invention is based on the fact that rubbish bags fall into the rubbish bins they line on a regular basis on both wheelie bins and the normal round plastic bins. I have invented and successfully patented a plastic clip that fits both bin styles (they come in 2 sizes), he said. 

Lorne pictured enjoying his favourite hobby

"The clips are made in Australia, are recyclable themselves and will shortly be made of recycled plastic. We are due to go on sale through a major retailer in Australia within the next few months."

The activity which really gets Lorne excited is riding his Suzuki GSXR1000 motorbike.

"It is a passion I truly live for. I can spend 8 hours riding it (get a sore tail out of it) but want to get back on just as soon as I get off it."

The new Graduate Diploma of Learning Management (Executive Leadership) recently became available through CQUniversity, starting in July.

The program aims to meet the needs of employers who are seeking a new set of competencies in the areas of leadership and teamwork.

This specialisation builds upon existing knowledge, experience and qualifications to enable managers and leaders to appreciate the diversity of contexts in which their skills can be applied.

"This program is based on 3 project-based courses via online learning.  The structure is practically oriented which enables students to tailor their projects to the workplace," said Robyn Smith, CQUniversity Program Coordinator.

"The fundamental premise of offering this format is to allow students flexibility, where they can complete their study in a time and place of their choice and the topics will directly contribute to their work and assessment are relevant to their industry."

At the completion of the program, students may continue their professional journey and undertake a further 3 courses to attain a Master of Learning Management (Executive Leadership).

Additional information about the program can be obtained by contacting Robyn Smith, Program Co-ordinator on 07 4940 7471.