Charles Bond Fewster has graduated from the university which carries his grandfather's name. Picture: Cavan Flynn
by Jessica Borten
The grandson of Alan Bond has graduated from the late businessman's namesake university.
Charles Bond Fewster had his degree conferred at Bond University before Chancellor Annabelle Bennett on December 2, with his grandmother Eileen Bond in the audience.
He is the first Bond to graduate from Bond, departing with a Bachelor of Business.
Mr Bond Fewster said it was not always a given that he would attend the university founded by his late grandfather in 1989.
“As a West Australian boy, I always thought I would go to university in Perth,” he said.
“But I had to see what the legacy was all about and when I saw the campus for the first time I fell in love with it and I had to go here.
“It has probably been the best two years of my life. I couldn’t talk more highly of it.”
Mr Bond Fewster said that like his fellow graduates he faced challenges in 2020, moving home to Western Australia and studying online for part of the year because of border closures.
He said he didn’t feel the weight of the Bond name while at university during which he was elected the 2020 Bond University Student Association President.
“I always strive to do my best. I don't think there was any pressure put on me but there’s always the voice in the back of your head that wants you to keep doing more,” he said.
“That's why I tried to get involved in student life as much as I could, serving on the student association and representing the uni at the university games a couple of times.”
Mr Bond Fewster said his grandfather would be chuffed at his achievement.
“I really think he would be proud. I'm here with my grandmother Red and we're going to take some photos with the statue (of Alan Bond) later.
“I'll definitely be sending my kids here one day.”
Mr Bond is working as an analyst in the property industry and hopes to take on an advisory role in the future.
Bond University was founded by businessmen Alan Bond and Harunori Takahashi and marked its 30th anniversary last year.
It is Australia’s first, private not-for-profit university.