Happy couple graduate together at Fraser Coast

Mark Dew had four children under the age of seven when he moved to Hervey Bay in 2002 to study at USQ Fraser Coast. The youngest was still in nappies.

Mark had been widowed the previous year and needed a new direction and purpose in his life as well as the support of his parents, who lived in the Bay.

He did an entrance exam and was accepted to study in a Bachelor of Arts program majoring in English and history.

He had been working as a printer in a factory in Brisbane, so becoming a full-time dad and student at the same time had its challenges.

'I used to go flat-out doing the housework and getting the kids off to school and day-care, then studying till time to pick them up again.' he said.

'I arrived here after the first semester had started so I only did five courses during the first year.

'I made it up over the Christmas semester.'

Like most students, even those with families, Mark managed to find a little time for socialising. A meeting with a family friend led eventually to him marrying fellow USQ student Kerry Clifford last year.

Kerry finished a degree in Early Childhood Education last year and together they graduated on Saturday.

Mark and Kerry, along with 99 other USQ Fraser Coast students received their degrees and diplomas during the annual graduation ceremony at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough.

'Kerry is a fabulous mum and we'd even like to have a child of our own,' Mark said.

'The children are doing so well and I'm so proud of them all.' (Phoebe is 10, William is 9, Eliot is 7 and Isobel is 5.)

Mark said it had been a real buzz to study at USQ Fraser Coast.

He is now doing his honours in English Literature while also studying a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching. Kerry is teaching part-time.

Mark and Kerry are keen on life-long learning and pursuing careers in teaching and research.

Media Contact: Katrina Corcoran USQ Media Fraser Coast +61 7 4120 6167