50+ photos: Every graduate from University of the Sunshine Coast ceremony

It was a day of pride and satisfaction as graduates of the University of the Sunshine Coast had their moment in the spotlight at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough.

About 50 graduates of the University of the Sunshine Coast received their degrees at a special ceremony at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough on April 27, 2023.

More than 50 students from the Fraser Coast campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast were part of a graduation ceremony at Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Among them was Sonne Flores, Animal Ecology graduate and recipient of the University Medal.

During her speech after receiving the award, Ms Flores spoke of the challenges she had faced while completing the first year of her studies.

She said all the sacrifices, late nights writing assignments and hard work had paid off for those gathered.

University of the Sunshine Coast students graduate at Brolga Theatre

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But for her, the first year had been a challenge.

Ms Flores returned to university as a mature age student after working as a customer service manager, describing herself at that time in 2019 as “depressed and anxious, not sleeping”.

She was willing to do anything to get her spark back.

Not one to do anything by halves, Ms Flores sold her house in Brisbane, quit her full time job and bought a property on the Fraser Coast, enrolling in Animal Ecology.

In 2020, during her first semester, she experienced “the lowest of lows”.

While the state was in Covid lockdown, she found herself admitted to hospital under an involuntary treatment order.

“Now all the graduating nurses here will know exactly what that means and the word involuntary says it all really,” she said.

University medallist Sonne flores graduating with a degree in Animal Ecology.

“Then in the following semester I lost three loved ones in the same week.

“To say that my first year was challenging would probably just scratch the surface.

“Thankfully, the second and third year of my degree were not quite so dramatic and became very enjoyable.”

Ms Flores did field trips, research projects and placements during those years and grew to appreciate what she had overcome to complete her degree.

During that times she learned to balance her studies with spending time with people and doing things she enjoyed, she said.

She thanked the families and friends gathered for supporting the students through their journey.