Leon Rebello (McPherson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about Southern Cross University, which is a formidable educational institution on the southern end of my seat of McPherson. It's a university that was established in 1994, so it's as old as I am, but it's a university whose identity symbolises a guiding light for the curious and a beacon for independent thinking. Over the decades that have followed, that vision has led to the university being known as one of our country's most innovative universities. It's produced more than 75,000 graduates and a lot of world-leading research. The impact of the university and its graduates is felt not only locally in my seat, not only nationally but internationally as well.

On Friday night, I had the distinct privilege of delivering the occasional address at the university graduation. I'd like to acknowledge the pro-chancellor; the vice-chancellor, Professor Tyrone Carlin; and each and every one of the 240 graduates who received their awards that evening. It was such a formidable ceremony, and it was really quite something to see the looks on many of these graduates' faces as they walked across that stage after putting in so many years, in many instances, of hard work and dedication to their degrees.

The ceremony that I attended and that I spoke at was in relation to health students. At Southern Cross University, the Faculty of Health produces students who graduate in podiatry, biomedical science, community welfare, exercise science, psychological science and social work, to name a few. The contribution that these people will no doubt make to our community and to our country is something I'm very proud of, as the local federal MP.

I delivered two key messages to the graduating class of 2026. The first was where you start does not define where you finish, and the second was, if you want something, work for it. These graduates have already shown that they have the will, the desire and the work ethic to work towards achievement.

I'd like to again reiterate my sincere congratulations to each and every one of the graduates of the class of 2026 at Southern Cross University, to their support network—their parents, their families, their friends—and to the entire teaching staff, who made it all possible as well. Congratulations.