Graduation celebrations begin at UOW

Dec 14, 2004

The University of Wollongong was a sea of blue gowns yesterday (Monday 13 December), as the first day of summer graduation ceremonies got under way.

From an eligible 3,086 graduands 2,549 graduands attended the ceremonies.

Among those graduands was Margaret Emerton who is the first Arts Honours student from the Bega Education Centre and was awarded the University Medal. She graduated among a small cohort of other BA (Community and Environment) students who travelled to Wollongong for the graduation ceremony. Margaret will now take up a job at the Federal Government's Department of Finance and Administration.

Also graduating was Dr David Blackall (pictured right), a lecturer in the School of Journalism and Creative Writing, who was awarded a PhD degree. His thesis was entitled “John Perceval - An ethical representation of a delinquent angel” which was based on the documentary, “Delinquent Angel”, which he wrote, directed, produced and shot from 1994 to 2000. Dr Blackall is now in negotiations with a publisher to have his work published in the UK.

Shane Lauf (pictured right) also graduated yesterday with what is believed to be the only combined Engineering/Japanese language degree in the country.He was also the recipient of the University Medal (Informatics).Shane was a runner up for the inaugural Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize. It is the most prestigious prize at UOW and is an award of the council of UOW made on the recommendation of a committee chaired by the University Chancellor, Mr Michael Codd A.C. Shane is also to receive a Graduate Diploma in Arts. Fluent in Japanese and having spent substantial placements overseas, he will work for McKinsey and Company in Tokyo from April.

Karen Mortimer, wife of former Canterbury Bulldogs chief executive, Steve Mortimer, graduated with a Master of Creative Arts yesterday. Karen enrolled at university for the first time three years ago to gain some fresh ideas for her theatre career. She co-wrote the play 'Let's Hope' for her masters study. The couple also watched their son Andrew receive a degree in commerce from UOW last year.

Fiona Pickering, Rodney Jarius and Melissa Miller all graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Community and Environment) from UOW's Shoalhaven Campus. Fiona won an Academic Excellence Award during her time at the Shoalhaven Campus. The South Coast students have each applied to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Education.

Deirdre Macdonald and Lorelle Pollard also graduated yesterday with Bachelor of Arts degrees (with Distinction). They both worked in UOW's Faculty of Engineering while studying part-time for their degrees. During their studies they were both placed on the Arts Faculty Deans' Merit list and were both awarded the Maree Lewis Prize for academic achievement and service to the campus community. Deirdre's mother, Marjory Macdonald, graduated in the 1980's and is an active campus chapter member and a prime mover in the establishment of the second hand bookshop.

The occasional address at the Monday morning graduation ceremony was delivered by ABC-TV and Bulletin magazine journalist, Maxine McKew (pictured right). Maxine is also a member of the Women's Advisory Group to the National Breast Cancer Centre and the National Patron of Osteoporosis Australia. She was also recently appointed to the Symphony Council which supports the interests and aspirations of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Photos from each graduation ceremony will soon be available at the UOW Graduation Website. Photos will be updated as graduation progresses.

-RP