A procession of 56 graduates signalled the start of the CQU Gladstone graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 9.

The graduates were joined by the University’s academic staff, school children from the district and a bagpiper for the procession along the City's main street.

Gladstone Head of Campus, Associate-Professor Robert Prater said the parade was always a favourite part of the day for graduates and their families.

“The procession is always very moving, with family members, friends and the general public lining the route, cheering and clapping to show the graduates how proud we are of their achievements.

“The inclusion of representatives from primary and secondary schools is an expression of the concept of lifelong learning which is characteristic of education today,” said Mr Prater.

“We were also very pleased to see graduates from New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria travel to Gladstone to attend the ceremony.

The ceremony was tinged with sadness with the awarding of a posthumous degree to the family of the late Fred Munckton, a Bachelor of Communication student who died from cancer in December, 2004.

Fred was a popular student who started studying with the campus as a STEPS student in 1997. In 1999, at almost 60 years of age, he enrolled in CQU’s Bachelor of Communication, majoring in journalism and professional communication.

His wife, Therese Munckton said that although the day had been hard, it was also a very proud moment for the entrie family.

Photo: Bachelor of Information Technology graduate, Noman Siddique travelled from CQU Melbourne campus to attend the graduation ceremony held at Gladstone recently. He is joined by (from left) Sub-Dean, Dr Andrew Wallace, Head of Campus, Bob Prater and Acting Vice-Chancelor , Professor Jim Mienczakowski.