Side by side: Gippsland mother and daughter graduate together
Graduating students Kaylan and Miriam Drzycimski.
More than 290 Federation University Australia students will cross the stage in Gippsland this week, celebrating years of hard work and dedication surrounded by the family and friends who supported them along the way.
The group is among more than 1,500 students graduating across Federation’s campuses in April and May ceremonies, marking the milestone across a wide range of disciplines.
This year’s celebration holds extra significance for mother and daughter duo Miriam and Kaylan Drzycimski, who have graduated side by side in the same ceremony, after completing their respective Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Teaching degrees.
It was during her Federation University studies, first in criminal justice and later in teaching, that Kaylan began to encourage her mum to take the next step in her nursing career and realise her dream of enrolling in the Bachelor of Nursing.
“Mum has been an aged care nurse for my whole life, and knowing she always wanted to do something more, I finally decided to take her to open day and then helped her with her course application,” Kaylan said.
“I’m so proud to be sharing this experience with mum, getting ready together and sharing photos to celebrate our years of hard work.”
Kaylan first became interested in teaching after volunteering at her former primary school during high school. Another volunteer experience at a local primary school as part of her criminal justice degree left her in no doubt.
“I phoned mum and said, ‘I want to be a teacher’,” Kaylan said.
“It was amazing being back in the classroom after falling in love with it during my first volunteer experience. Seeing the smiles, the conversations you hear and the things the children do, it brings me so much joy.”
Kaylan went on to study teaching after completing her Bachelor of Criminal Justice and is now working at Lowanna College.
“I love the culture, community and environment here. I feel very supported,” she said.
For her mum Miriam, returning to study was a long‑held goal – supported by years of experience in aged care nursing and a nudge from her daughter to take the next step.
Having someone to bounce ideas off and help with university expectations of study was helpful through the challenging periods,” Miriam said.
“Through her work on the Student Senate, Kaylan was also very helpful in guiding me to the university supports that I used throughout my degree.
“I am so proud and happy to be graduating with my daughter.”
Miriam plans to complete her graduate year at Leongatha Healthcare and is exploring options to take a further step in her career with postgraduate study in emergency or theatre nursing.
Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley said whether returning to study after many years in the workforce, embarking on postgraduate study, or stepping into university life after secondary school, all graduates should be incredibly proud of their hard work.
“Graduation is an amazing personal achievement, but also a shared milestone, made possible by the encouragement, support and belief of loved ones, and we are proud to celebrate this moment with our graduates as they take their next steps and make a positive impact in their communities,” Professor Bentley said.