• Graduates from Albury-Wodonga’s class of 2020 attend on-campus graduation ceremonies at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga this week
• Close to 600 graduates and 1,800 guests attended the ceremonies, which were postponed last year due to COVID-19  
• Graduation ceremonies included the same features as previous years – alumni speakers, professional photography, medal presentations and a hospitality area for socialising

Attending their on-campus graduation ceremony can now be crossed off the bucket list for Albury-Wodonga graduates from Charles Sturt University’s class of 2020.

They were among close to 600 graduates and 1,800 guests attending one of eight ceremonies at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga this week.

Time did not diminish the excitement of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy graduate Ms Zoe Russell (pictured).

Ms Russell grew up in Leeton but studied in Albury-Wodonga, where she said she made friends and “got super lucky” with her occupational therapy cohort.

The class celebrated the end of their degree with drinks via Zoom, but Ms Russell said they were excited to reunite for an in-person ceremony.

“I made amazing friends … we have all been looking forward to graduation for so long,” she said.

Ms Russell was finally able to don the cap and gown as she was reunited with her class at a rescheduled graduation ceremony in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 16 June.

“I think it is important to share this moment with people you have spent the past four years studying with and the family who supported you throughout,” she said.

Ms Russell is the first in her family to graduate from university and was joined at the ceremony by her mum, her partner and her grandmother.

She is currently working as an Occupational Therapist for Everyday Independence, supporting people with a disability to live independently.

“Charles Sturt University has enabled me to learn so much about Occupational Therapy and how we can make an impact in people’s lives,” she said.

“I always want to be increasing my knowledge and skills … I just want to be a great Occupational Therapist.”

The final round of on-campus graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020 commenced at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 15 June.