100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Four members of a Sunshine Coast family are 'super excited' to be graduating from USC

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

‘Landmark’ property commanding $515,981 in rent hits market

A commercial property within a busy precinct has hit the market, offering what agents are calling one of the “most compelling opportunities” in years. Located More

‘Stairway to haven’ helps fish migrate, breed

Two new fishways are being installed on a Coast creek to help native fish navigate weirs, which act as barriers to reaching breeding habitats. The More

‘Really special’: Aussie pair triumphs in Coast ironman

Queensland’s Ellie Salthouse and Tasmania’s Jake Birtwhistle have impressed on their way to victory at the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, with both athletes More

Photo of the day: whopper catch

Blake Shannon landed a 80cm dusty flathead at Golden Beach on Father's Day. The photo was sent in by Wayde Shannon. If you have a More

Work starts on multimillion-dollar parcel facility

Construction has started on a new Australia Post facility that is expected to process up to 16,000 parcels a day. Work is underway on building More

Firearm and car seized as emergency declaration revoked

Police have revoked an earlier emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) following a reported incident at Glenview. Officers were called to an More

USC’s week of graduation ceremonies will be a quadruple celebration for new Maroochydore State High School teacher and double USC graduate Rubie Orman.

She and three family members will graduate with USC degrees between April 6-10, watched in the USC Stadium by audiences including Rubie’s baby daughter Averie and Averie’s great-grandparents.

Rubie, 23, will walk across the stage for her Master of Teaching (Secondary). Her fiancé Jackson Ditchfield, 24, will graduate with a Bachelor of Laws and her mother Debbie Orman, 51, will receive a Bachelor of Health and Community Care Management.

In addition, sister-in-law Samantha Oldham, Jackson’s sibling, will gain her Arts degree.

“We are all super excited,” said Rubie, a new mum living at Mount Coolum and working at the same school where she was school captain as a Year 12 student in 2014.

While COVID-19 restrictions interrupted Rubie’s class time with students this week, the 2019 USC Science graduate enjoyed her first term teaching Science and HPE (Health and Physical Education).

“On the first day of term, it was pretty daunting,” she said.

“I was like, ‘where is the teacher?’. But the teacher was me! Now I’m into the groove of things – and I don’t have to worry about finding my way around the grounds.”

She said it was satisfying to secure the one-year contract while still studying last year.

“I finished my last assignment two weeks before Averie was born, and when I started the job this year, she was only two months old,” said Rubie, who is also looking forward to her wedding ceremony with Jackson at Twin Waters in the school holidays.

Jackson, who initially studied Mechanical Engineering because he liked tinkering with cars and his dad was a mechanic, said he was stoked to be graduating with a Law degree.

“I’m now doing my legal training to become a practising lawyer, while also working in hospitality,” he said.

“Ultimately I’d like to complete a PhD in environmental law.”

Rubie’s mother Debbie, who actually graduated in 2020 but was unable to attend a ceremony last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, can’t wait to participate in person.

She is among hundreds of 2020 graduates who have jumped at the chance to participate in this round of graduation ceremonies at the USC Stadium.

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.

“I’m the first in my own family to have completed tertiary education and I can’t wait to show my parents our achievements,” said Debbie, who gained a USC Associate Degree in Business before her healthcare degree.

She works at Suncare Community Services, which provides in-home care services across Queensland.

Her role is Volunteer Team Leader, coordinating more than 200 volunteers.

“Starting out as a stay-at-home mother, going to university was a dream that I didn’t think was possible,” Debbie said.

“Without the support and flexibility of USC staff, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to juggle study with being a mum, wife and now professional. I can’t wait to commence my Graduate Certificate in Aged Care soon.”

Rubie said: “We’ve all benefited from the luxury of staying on the Coast to study at university. USC has given us the opportunity to find a balance between study, work and family life.”

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share