Uni Hub Spencer Gulf celebrated the latest crop of local university graduates earlier this month at the Port Pirie Sporting Precinct, recognising the achievements of 22 students across the fields of nursing, teaching, business, engineering, social work and psychology.

Students hailed from right around the region, including Port Pirie, Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Kadina.

Uni Hub Spencer Gulf CEO, Anita Kuss paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the students.

“University is a hard slog – it takes years of sacrifice and persistence. Uni Hub has been really proud to be a part of the journey for our students,” Ms Kuss said.

“It’s more than just a huge personal achievement though, each graduate is playing a big part in developing a local workforce for local employers and helping to build capacity in our region.”

“We now have 22 new professionals who already live in our region and already call it home. It’s proof if you train locals, they stay local.”

Ms Kuss explained that the students are also important role models for others in the community.

“You can’t be what you can’t see. Our newest university graduates are helping others to aspire to a professional career in our region by showing them what’s possible.”

Graduates were presented with their certificates by Professor Rob Brown (CQUniversity Associate Vice-President, Mackay and Whitsundays), Professor Chris Brebner (Flinders University Pro Vice Chancellor – Curriculum Impact) Associate Professor Angelina Ambrosetti (CQU Head of Course – Bachelor of Education), Dr Leanne Jack (CQU Deputy Dean Learning and Teaching, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science) and Ellie Cutmore (CQU Acting Head of Course – Bachelor of Nursing).

CQUniversity graduates included Alica Perry, Hollie Davis, Isabella Jones Frkic, Paige Johnson, Sarah Larwood, Sonya Robertson, Vanessa Manfield and Kaira Gamble (Bachelor of Nursing), Zachary Stephens (Bachelor of Social Work), Justin Borland (Bachelor of Education), Emma Franklin, Ebonie Beard and Zachary Mead (Master of Teaching), Kelly Hilton (Master of Professional Psychology) and Mitchell Young (Graduate Certificate in Asset and Maintenance Management).

Flinders University graduate, Kim Gregory, completed a Bachelor of Business.

CQUniversity Graduate Certificate of Clinical Nursing graduates include Rebecca Jenner, Ashley Anderson, Kristie Pengilly, Robyn Litchfield, Zara Nicholls and Zahli Gibsone.