Geraldton’s newest crop of 43 university graduates was honoured last week, representing a range of fields of study that did not require them to leave home.

Geraldton Universities Centre’s class of 2026 graduated from a variety of courses, including accounting, business/commerce, digital media, education, human services, nursing and psychological science.

The most popular completed course was nursing with 19 graduates, followed by seven students in early childhood and primary education. GUC courses are delivered in partnership with CQUniversity, UniSQ and Curtin University.

Their hard work and achievements were celebrated at a graduation ceremony at Queens Park Theatre, with the auditorium filled with family, friends, fellow students and staff.

GUC board chair Jody Beven said GUC was delivering on its vision that everyone should be able to access higher education where they lived, regardless of background or circumstance.

“With up to 40 per cent of our students from low socio-economic backgrounds, a third the first in their family to attend university, and 8 per cent Aboriginal, equity isn’t just a value — it’s central to what we do,” he said.

Bachelor of nursing graduate Clancy Huggins spoke at the graduation ceremony and said balancing study with full-time work “wasn’t easy”.

“It came with late nights, plenty of self‑doubt, and constant juggling — but it proved that with the right support and determination, it is possible to build your career while furthering your education,” she said.

Bachelor of accounting graduate Liyamaria Thomas said working within the industry while completing her degree took her education to the next level.

“Seeing theory translate into real-world practice not only strengthened my skills but confirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be,” she said.

GUC now has an alumni network of 648 graduates.