Chancellor.
Vice-Chancellor.
Members of the Council.
Staff of the University.
Families and Friends of Graduates.
And, most importantly, Graduates.
I start by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the: Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal People and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
In this institution of learning, it is fitting that we recognise the wisdom and culture of Indigenous Australians who have lived in this country for so many thousands of years.
As a local member of Parliament I am hugely proud of this university; I am proud of our community and our region; and I am proud of you – our newly-minted graduates.
One of the privileges of being a member of Parliament is that you are asked to attend significant events in the lives of local people.
Events like citizenship ceremonies – where we welcome new citizens into the tapestry of diversity and dynamism that is the Australian community.
Or Anzac Day services – where we remember those who gave their lives in the conflicts of the past to keep our community free today.
And graduation ceremonies – where we celebrate the intellectual pursuits, the academic disciplines and the hard work that has led all of you here today to this important milestone.
Some of you will be the first in your family to complete a university education.
Some of you will have come here from the country or overseas, and been separated from your families to complete your studies.
Some of you will have faced personal difficulties and struggles along the way.
Yet, here today, you all join the 32 per cent of the Australian population with university degrees.
And that achievement is down to your diligent work and concerted efforts.
So I want first of all to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduating students.
But I also want to say an enormous thank you to the families, friends and loved ones.
Thank you for the support you have provided to our new graduates.
Their achievement would not have been possible without your encouragement, your understanding, your advice and your counsel.
The University has encouraged me to offer our graduates some practical advice … about your future careers and the challenges and rewards you will encounter.
I’ll leave it to others to decide whether a politician is a reliable source of career advice …
After all our job security leaves a bit to be desired – we face potential dismissal at the ballot box every three years.
But here goes.
My first piece of advice is that you should not regard graduation as an end to your learning.
We are fortunate to live in a nation with a high-quality, accessible and affordable public education and university system.
Like many of the related fields here today, I graduated in economics.
My career path has taken me from economist, to policy adviser, to Parliamentarian and to Ministerial office.
Yet every day of that journey I have drawn on and benefitted from my undergraduate studies.
Years later, my investment in learning the economists’ toolkit is still paying dividends – it informs my thinking on policy issues and contributes to my performance in my job.
I am sure that will be the case for all of you – graduates in business, commerce, economics, finance and other disciplines represented here today.
But like physical fitness, sporting prowess or musical ability, education is not a one-off achievement.
We need to keep working on it, honing, developing and practicing it.
The intellectual habits, the analytical methods, and the critical thinking abilities you have acquired in your studies are now amongst your most valuable possessions.
You need to keep them in good repair, whether you go on to further formal studies or not.
So keep on learning, inquiring and developing.
This will mean more fulfilling careers, richer lives and greater opportunities.
My second piece of advice is that you keep in touch with the people you’ve met during your time at this University.
The shared experiences … in the lecture theatres, on the sporting fields, and in your extra-curricular activities on and around the campus … these experiences and friendships are another invaluable legacy you will take away from your time here.
Keep in touch with your university and its graduate community more broadly in future years.
As you embark upon your careers, you can benefit from maintaining the networks you formed during your own time at university.
And, in years to come, you may find yourself in a position to support and assist future generations of students through alumni networks and activities.
When it comes to the careers you are now beginning, my suggestion is to have a plan.
Work out where you want to be in five and 10 years’ time and think about how you will get there.
Set goals and targets. It never hurts to be ambitious, for your career and for yourself.
But be flexible. And for every plan, have a plan B.
Next piece of advice – work out your values.
What do you really believe in?
What do you stand for?
How can you make a contribution?
A contribution to better lives for yourselves and your families, but also to better communities and a better country.
You can make contributions through your careers, through your personal lives, or through activities like donating, volunteering, joining organisations or advocating for a cause.
As life unfolds, you will need to know when to compromise and when to hold firm.
But you should hew to a set of values.
Because ultimately your values are who you are.
They will inform and motivate the contributions you make over the coming years in your workplaces, your families and your communities.
And my most important piece of advice is to love your families as they love you.
They are the ones who have shared in your struggles and your triumphs; the ones who supported you and championed you; the ones who brought you to where you are today.
They will be your greatest support team as you graduate to the next phase of your life’s journey, so hold them close.
Finally can I simply suggest that you enjoy this day.
Savour your achievements.
Revel in today’s celebrations.
Congratulate yourselves.
And, in the coming days, dare to dream, just a little, for your futures.
You’ve lifted yourselves up.
Now you can lift up others, and make the world a better place.
Go well, University of Newcastle graduates.