Belinda Matijevic moved to the Gold Coast to support her daughter Clare through university. Four years later, they graduated together.
Clare, 21, received her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Psychological Science on the same morning her mother, 55, received her Master of Business Administration.
“It was a very special moment,” Clare said.
“Not every day you get to graduate with your mum. She was even mistaken for my twin sister!”
Clare received Bond University's prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship, covering 100 per cent of her undergraduate tuition fees.
For Belinda, studying at Bond hadn't been part of the plan, but a visit to campus changed that.
“I came to an Open Day and had a chat with the MBA coordinator. That led to enrolling, and off we went.”
The day held special meaning for Belinda, falling on the first anniversary of her mother's passing.
“A year ago, it was very tough,” she said.
After losing both her parents during her studies, Belinda took time away from work and focused on completing her MBA.
“I actually accelerated my studies and completed half the MBA in 14 weeks. I took time away from life, just to concentrate on me and grieve.”
Clare said the experience had also brought opportunities.
“Bond has just been such a fantastic experience and has been very special for our family.”
Clare, who graduated with Second Class Honours in Law, will move to Brisbane in January to begin an associateship with Justice Lincoln Crowley, Australia's first Indigenous Supreme Court judge.
Both women also celebrated their Aboriginal heritage at graduation, wearing sashes recognising their family's connection to the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in remote north-west South Australia.
Now, as Clare embarks on her legal career, Belinda is following a similar path, studying Bond's Juris Doctor online while working full-time in Adelaide.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter for us,” Belinda said.
“A milestone neither of us had planned, but one we will always treasure.”