SW ECU graduates cap off year with parade

A record number of 225 students graduated from Edith Cowan University's South West campus on Saturday night.

Students took part in the traditional parade through Bunbury before the ceremony at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, attended by more than 800 people.

"The graduation was described by many as the best-ever, with our two speakers speaking directly to the hearts and minds of our graduates with warmth and humour," said ECU South West campus dean Lyn Farrell.

"Graduation is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of the students and our academic staff and we enjoy celebrating together."

Pippa Blackburn, an ECU social work graduate and winner of the 2014 Social Worker of the Year award, also spoke at the ceremony, as did student speaker Dr Garry Henderson, an indigenous student who was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree on Saturday.

The university had 79 education graduates and 58 from its nursing program this year.

One of those nursing graduates was Bunbury resident Kate Maclean, who received two awards for excellence in practice and overall excellence.

"It's nice to get awards and a little bit of a pat on the back," she said.

"The campus here is really nice and because it's small, it's personal.

"You know all the lecturers on a first name basis and they become like an extended family."

She has a graduate position at Bunbury Regional Hospital and hopes to specialise in an area after this year.

"It's kind of a relief to graduate but also, kind of, what do I study next?" she said.

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