The great granddaughter of John Curtin, the late wartime Prime Minister of Australia, has graduated from the university that was named after him.
On Saturday night, Rebecca Curtin, 21, received a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) alongside 600 other graduating students from the Faculty of Humanities at Curtin University.
During her four years at the university, Ms Curtin was heavily involved in the John Curtin Leadership Academy.
“As part of JCLA I worked with a team of students to organise a 10-hour music festival in Fremantle that raised funds for music programs in Aboriginal communities,” she said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of JCLA and the values it teaches Curtin students.”
Midway through her degree, Ms Curtin took part in a six-month student exchange at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
“Studying in the UK gave me the opportunity to explore Europe, an experience that will stay with me for life,” she said.
“I believe my involvement with JCLA and my travels abroad have prepared me well for future career and study opportunities.”
Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket and Chancellor Jim Gill either side of Rebecca’s father John, Rebecca and Josephine Curtin.
Ms Curtin said it was rewarding to complete her degree at the university that celebrates her great grandfather’s achievements.
“My great grandfather had an extraordinary career, one that started in the field of journalism,” she said.
“It is such a dynamic time to be studying journalism as the way we consume media is evolving so quickly.”
As for following her great grandfather into a career in politics, Ms Curtin said it was not something she would rule out.
“I am interested in global and community issues,” she said.
“However, politics is not something that should be rushed into.
“I have more travelling and learning to do before I cross that bridge.”
Story from InkWire, the news site by Curtin Journalism students.
