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Linda Graduates From Tough Times With A Golden Outlook

by Nina Merrotsy education reporter
The Gold Coast Bulletin

AFTER a long battle with illness and struggle through uni studies, former surf lifesaving golden girl Linda Halfweeg says goodbye to the books and chronic fatigue for good from today.

The vivacious 24-year-old, who says she finally feels alive again, will graduate from Bond University tonight with a double communications degree.

Halfweeg, who was struck down with chronic fatigue syndrome one year into her five-year degree, said she was excited about embarking on a new chapter in her life.

"I thought this would never come . . . it took a lot of persistence and determination to stick with it but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said.

"To graduate from uni is an accomplishment for anyone but it was a real struggle with the sickness I've had."

The Varsity Lakes resident had to cut short her sporting

career after feeling the highs of being Australia's under-18 ironwoman champion.

She also had to defer her studies for one year after being bedridden for months on end. Six years later, the former surf whizkid is on top of her health.

"I'm ready to take on the world," she said. `I'm happy and healthy and I haven't had a relapse for six months now.

"I'm just loving life. I've done the sporting thing, I've done the uni life, now it's time to move on and my dreams lie in the

corporate world.

"In five years I see myself as a high-flying marketing executive or maybe even a television journalist."

More than 370 Bond Uni students will graduate tonight.

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