The toddler who learned a mantra about the power of education has completed university 24 years later, alongside her sister who wore their mother's graduation dress.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Willow and Summer Benson celebrated their achievements at La Trobe University with their mum Natasha, who was herself a Wodonga social work student.
'When I graduated, Summer was not even one," Natasha said.
"On the way to childcare, we had a little song that said, 'You go to childcare, you go to primary school, and then you go to high school and university'.
"I was really proud that they followed in that way."
Summer went on to a Bachelor of Human Services and Masters in Social Work.
"I'm the oldest of four girls, and mum being a social worker and having the career that she has, we've definitely learned that we can be strong, independent women," she said.
The 25-year-old actually completed her degree last year, but joined the 2021 cohort with no ceremonies taking place in 2020.
"I think I actually appreciate it a bit more ... there's a lot to celebrate today," she said.
"It's been really nice to graduate together."
A Bachelor of Science graduate, 22-year-old Willow sought to wear the same dress her mum had in 1996.
"She wore this beautiful silk dress, and she still had it, so I thought I would wear it in celebration," Willow said.
"I started studying in 2018 and my final year of study was all online, due to COVID.
"I was quite nervous to begin with, transitioning to online studies, but I found it was quite good.
"I think it really opened up skills that I'll be able to use in the workforce."
The Albury-Wodonga graduations at The Cube were La Trobe's first for the year, including more than 160 people including six PhD recipients.
Chancellor John Brumby said it was the first at-scale graduation in 18 months, after a difficult year in which the university had to let staff go.
"It's a great morale booster," he said.
"Everybody knows the year of COVID we had ... we're still seeing terrible tragedy around the world particularly in India and Brazil.
"We're still not seeing any international students that are able to return in person.
"But we're seeing more students in lectures and in tutorials.
"There's big demand for people with skills, and many of our graduates today are going to find great job opportunities and great business opportunities.
"While it's a complicated world out there, one we didn't expect, there are great opportunities for our graduates, and we wish them every success."
Mr Brumby congratulated his university's oldest undergraduate student, 82-year-old Pat Zehntner of Gerogery.
Ms Zehntner was a nurse for 40 years but this Bachelor of Arts was her first university degree.
"I didn't want to join an elderly citizen's group, I wanted to mix with younger people and continue learning," she said.
"It was fascinating, and I'm relieved to be finished."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Zehntner said she didn't have any plans for her Bachelor, having been personally fulfilled by her studies majoring in history.
"Just do it, it's a really worthwhile thing to do - you learn to critically think and it gives you a greater appreciation of what's going on with the world," she said.
