Katherine celebrates year of academic success
It was a case of standing-room only as friends and families gathered for Charles Darwin University’s Celebration of Achievement Ceremony in Katherine last week.
Some 160 guests filled the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Cultural Centre to see presentations made to 49 students, well up on last year’s 13.
CDU Director of Katherine Region Jill Kennedy said it was important that employers and leaders and other members of the community were able to celebrate the achievements of the region’s students.
“We were delighted to have had students in both the vocational and higher education sectors complete qualifications ranging from certificate II through to graduate diplomas and bachelor degrees,” Ms Kennedy said.
“Disciplines included agriculture, automotive, business studies, community and aged care, community services, health and tourism.”
Ms Kennedy thanked Community Services and Health Team Leader Peter Hogan and his team who celebrated with about 30 students, including 14 from Mataranka, Beswick, Minyerri and Kalano.
“This is an encouraging outcome relating to an ongoing partnership we have with the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services that allows for the delivery of Certificate III in Home and Community Care and Certificate III in Aged Care to people in remote communities,” she said.
“Remote patients can stay at home in their communities and receive care from fully trained and qualified people in the local community.
“It is an exciting program that we anticipate may result in a further 20 completions from communities such as Ramingining and Groote Eylandt in the next six months.”
Ms Kennedy said CDU would remain committed to providing ongoing learning opportunities to people in the Katherine region next year and beyond.
“The flow-on effect of education is the key to improving the services and employment opportunities for people in our region,” she said.
“We look forward to further engaging with the community and servicing its needs as a provider of quality education and training.”
Ms Kennedy said it was also important that the CDU community in Katherine was given the opportunity to bid farewell to outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover.
“We were delighted that he was able to join us on this auspicious occasion, take part in the academic procession and we wish him the best in the future.”