The Drummond family are proof that you are never too old or young to study, with three members of the family set to graduate in Alice Springs next month.
Richard and his sons, Philip and David, will gown up together at Charles Darwin University’s graduation ceremony on 16 June.
The trio are fairly level-headed about their achievement. Richard, who completed Certificate IV in Business (Human Resources), said: “I was flicking through the course guide that Philip had and thought I wouldn’t mind improving my qualifications.
“For all three of us, study has fitted well with our lives. Philip completed Certificate III in Screen during the day while working part time and David completed Certificate II in Music as part of a VET in Schools program.
“Though this is the first time I have studied in years, I have been able to work full time and attend classes on campus after work. It was an easy transition,” Richard said.
Philip agrees that study has been convenient and flexible. He completed his course after studying in a number of other areas, including media, hospitality and business.
“Ultimately I was following my passion. It was great, because I was able to claim recognition of prior learning for the studies I’d already done.
“Completing a qualification in screen was ideal in Alice Springs, where I could take advantage of the unique and variable landscapes and climates, which gave an extra dimension to my work,” Philip said.
Philip is now employed doing design and layout for the Alice Springs News.
David, who is completing year 12 this year, studied for his certificate over two years at school, and plays guitar and bass guitar in a band.
“I am considering studying a teaching degree next year,” David said.
Studying is not the only passion they share. The three have recently been in Darwin competing in the Northern Territory Tenpin Bowling Championships.
Philip was part of the ten pin bowling team awarded NT 2006 Sports Team of the Year, and David has been Alice Springs Junior Champion for four consecutive years.
The three men will graduate at Alice Springs on June 16.