The sacrifices and hard work of 40 CQU STEPS students was formally recognised at a graduation ceremony held at the Gladstone campus recently.

Friends, family and staff attended the ceremony to see the students receive their completion certificates, the formal end to a program that earns adults the qualifications needed to gain tertiary entry.

Gladstone STEPS coordinator, Lynne Campbell said the ceremony was a celebration of outstanding achievement.

“The STEPS program is about making goals and setting out to achieve them and a lot of our graduates have had to make many sacrifices to get here.

“The graduation ceremony is an opportunity for the students to celebrate their achievements and to thank and acknowledge their family and friends for making the success possible.

“For many of the students, the graduation ceremony is only the beginning of their studies, with goals of education, psychology and social work degrees now firmly in their sights,” said Ms Campbell.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, Head Coach of the Volleyball School of Excellence Gladstone State High School, Brian van der Weide spoke to the students about the pursuit of excellence and the need for hard work and the setting of goals.

Applications for STEPS 2004 classes close on Monday 27 October. Anyone wishing to enrol or find out further information should contact CQU on 4970 7277 or visit the campus located at the Gladstone Marina.