Facing her fears to enrol at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Fraser Coast campus led to new Social Work graduate Sarah Leahy discovering she was more capable than she ever imagined.
“I was a full-time single parent and beyond nervous when I started my degree,” Sarah, 36, from Maryborough said. “I barely spoke in class for weeks—probably months — and I was convinced everyone else knew exactly what they were doing and that I didn’t belong.”
Her experience unfolded into a transformative journey at UniSC’s Fraser Coast campus far beyond anything she anticipated in those early days.
Yesterday at a UniSC ceremony at Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre, she received a Medal for Academic Excellence as she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and delivered the official graduate address.
“When I was first invited to speak on behalf of graduating students, my initial reaction was to say, ‘no way’. But then I found myself wanting to embrace the challenge and, in that moment, I realised just how much I had grown over these past four years at UniSC,” she said.
“That’s what this entire journey has been for me. Learning to face fears I once thought were bigger than me, and slowly realising they weren’t. That I was capable. That I do belong.”
It had its share of challenges. She first completed UniSC’s Tertiary Preparation Pathway to gain confidence and study skills, and to meet the entry requirements to UniSC’s social work program. She also sought financial support to chase her study goals through available scholarships.
In her address, Sarah said each student had overcome their own challenges to graduate.
“Whether it was juggling jobs, raising families, fighting self-doubt, or just finding the courage to keep going when it would’ve been easier to stop,” she said.
“That is why we celebrate not just the finish line, but the people we’ve become along the way. We are not here because it was easy, we are here because we didn't give up.
“Because courage isn't always big, bold moments. Sometimes, it’s simply showing up when it’s hard. It’s asking for help. It’s trying again after you’ve failed. And it’s believing—bit by bit—that you are capable of more than you ever imagined.”
Now employed full-time as a social worker in Maryborough, Sarah provides intensive family support to parents and children affected by or at risk of harm.
“Completing my degree has been life changing. It’s allowed me to grow as a person, gain confidence, support my children through stable employment, and work in a field I’m passionate about,” she said.
Yesterday’s ceremony marked the final event in UniSC’s autumn graduation series and a milestone for the University: supporting more than 40,000 graduates to achieve their study and career goals.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said since it was founded in 1996, UniSC had helped harness the innovation, productivity and potential of its communities, boosting their capability to fill employment gaps in priority areas such as health care and education.
In her graduation message, Professor Bartlett told the new Fraser Coast graduates they were in a privileged position to use their skills and knowledge to help improve the lives of those around them.
“Today you take your place among more than 40,000 graduates we have helped teach, train and educate to become nurses, teachers, allied healthcare workers, environmentalists and conservationists, engineers, lawyers, designers, journalists, communicators, innovators, thinkers and leaders,” she said.
“Most have gone on to live, work and make meaningful contributions to the region where they studied, helping their communities to grow and prosper.”
Media enquiries: Please contact the Media Team [email protected]