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Age proves no barrier for student

WHEN Marie Dillon accepted her Diploma in Community Services at SuniTAFE’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday night it was not only a thrill for her, it was something the mature age student never dreamed of.

“I only returned to the workforce when I was 55,” she said.

“I’d lived on a farm with my husband all my life and it wasn’t until we moved into town that I considered getting employment.

“I was fortunate to get a job after completing a personal care course and my manager later invited me to undertake a Certificate IV in aged care.”

Now in her 70s, Mrs Dillon works with Swan Hill District Health supporting aged clients. 

She has continued her studies via online courses and recently completed studies on understanding dementia through the University of Tasmania and is about to commence another on preventing dementia.

Completing the Diploma of Community Services is something she is very proud of. 

Her classmates spanned three generations and she laughed recalling some of the funny stories that arose as a result of a sometimes 50 year generation gap.

For more on this story grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (March 10, 2017)

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