New careers looking healthy for graduates

A total of 671 students will attend the ceremonies and another 105 will graduate in absentia, taking the total number of graduates to 776.

Doctors, vets, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, molecular and biological scientists are just some of the professions who will be presented with their hard-earned degrees.

The two ceremonies – one at 10.30am and one at 3.30pm, will be held at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.

Occupational Therapy student Jacki Mayne said working and volunteering in Australia and Thailand after high school inspired her to start her OT degree.

“The most exciting aspects of study for me were social justice and health care service provision for marginalised populations,” she said.

Ms Mayne said the past two years of her degree had been a whirlwind of learning and developing as a clinician and researcher.

“I was mentored and taught by a number of inspiring lecturers and guest lecturers, and was privileged to undertake an honours project focusing on media representations of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.”

Ms Mayne said she intended to build on the skills she already has, and find fresh ways to promote justice and quality of life in any context, whether working in Australia or overseas.

Each year the JCU University Council awards University Medals to students who have shown outstanding merit in their studies for the Bachelor Honours degree.

To be awarded a University Medal, students must achieve first class honours with a ranking of A and achieve a GPA of 6.5 or better.

Three University Medals will be presented today. The recipients are unaware of the award until it is announced during the proceedings.

Dr Peter Bristow, Townsville Health Service Chief Executive, will deliver the Occasional Address in the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduands will receive cultural sashes in a brief ceremony prior to the main presentation (approximately 30 minutes before each ceremony).

Date: Wednesday, December 21

Location: The Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville

Best time for media – from 9.30-10am
College of Public Health; Medical & Vet Sciences; College of Medicine & Dentistry

Best time for media – from 2.30-3pm.
College of Healthcare Sciences

Ms Mayne will be at the afternoon ceremony but students will be available at both ceremonies for photos, filming or interviews. For contact details, or other assistance, please contact JCU Media: Caroline Kaurila, 0437 028 175.