Mother and Daughter Bond at Bond

This month’s graduation ceremony was a mother - daughter affair for Bond University graduands Sue and Genevieve Colling.

The pair was among 430 graduating students to receive their degrees on Saturday 2nd February, and they couldn’t have been more thrilled.

“Neither of us ever expected to study together let alone graduate together, so we are very excited,” said Sue.

Graduating from a Bachelor of Business, Sue stood proudly by as her daughter Genevieve became Bond University’s first Master of Psychology (Forensic) graduate.

Sue said watching her daughter successfully progress through university as she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies inspired her to make the leap into tertiary education.

“I thought, gosh, I know I’m a lot older than Genevieve but I’m sure I can do it.

“As you get mature you challenge and doubt yourself, and you think that maybe you can’t do it – the young ones are so enthusiastic and so clever.

“But then I realised the benefit of my business knowledge and work experience,” Sue said.

Sue needn’t have worried about keeping up with her ‘Gen-Y’ classmates; along with successfully completing the requirements of her degree, she also appeared on the Dean’s List and received two Faculty awards: the Waterhouse Award for the Best Marketing Graduate and the Thomson Learning Australia Award for the Best Marketing Major.

She says while finding the time to return to study between raising a child and juggling her career was difficult, it was well worth it.

“I would encourage other mature age students to go back and study, especially with all the help and support offered by all the Bond Lecturers, staff and the library.

“It’s been challenging, but so rewarding,” Sue said.

Daughter Genevieve said it wasn’t at all weird having mum on campus with her, rather, she welcomed the healthy competition it provided.

“It wasn’t us against each other, just us pushing each other to achieve our best”, Genevieve said.

The Colling family joined the many other proud families and friends who attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their loved ones.

Valedictorians Elizabeth Scott (undergraduate) and Christine Oglethorpe (postgraduate) delivered stirring speeches to their fellow graduates; while the undergraduate and postgraduate Occasional Addresses, given by Bond University Council Member Mrs Kathryn Greiner AO and chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Mr Maurice Newman AC respectively, relayed some insightful advice to graduands as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.