The 'vote of thanks' from a graduate representing the student body at graduation ceremonies is a longstanding tradition.

With a Master of Applied Finance in her pocket Catherine Emily Manuel spoke with heartfelt gratitude at the first of six Division of EFS graduation ceremonies on April 19, 2006.

"Chancellor, fellow graduates and guests, my name is Catherine Manuel and I am delighted to have been afforded this honour to speak on behalf of graduating students from the Division of Economic and Financial Studies today.

Mixing further study, work and beginning a family has proved a difficult though rewarding challenge over the past two years and it is with great relief I stand here before you today amongst my fellow students.

On behalf of my fellow students, I would like to thank the professors and lecturers of the Division.

In particular, I would like to thank the professors and lecturers of the Masters of Applied Finance program for their ability to bring what is happening in the finance industry into the classroom. It was this relevance that we found most valuable. Many of the professors and lecturers brought otherwise dull finance concepts to us through practical applications enabling us to quickly apply the theory to our everyday work. This has directly benefited me by enhancing my ability to perform my role as a Chief Financial Officer in the private equity funds management area of finance.

Further enhancing the relevance of the course was the fact that many of my fellow students are also in the finance industry, thereby expanding the range of examples for discussion. But that is not all I wish to thank my fellow students for.

I found one of the risks studying part-time can be lack of motivation. Given there are many other things going on in our lives it is very hard to maintain focus. Forming study groups with fellow students proved a most helpful way to maintain focus and enthusiasm. Not to mention that I have made a number of great new friends.

I would also like to thank the administration staff on behalf of my fellow students. During the last seven subjects of my Masters I was pregnant with my now 11-month-old son. The staff at the city campus went out of their way to make sure I had food, water and a comfortable chair to sit on. As I found this period particularly difficult I appreciated this assistance greatly. I am sure each of my fellow students has a similar story to tell.

Finally, I would like to thank our families and friends. Each of our situations is unique however the time required to complete part-time or full time study always means sacrifices are made. In my case it was usually other people who made them.

I commenced my career in a cadetship with KPMG whilst completing my undergraduate degree and upon graduation, at the beginning of 1995, headed for Malaysia with a colleague to set up an import business. To keep the cash flow going I started doing some consulting work with large companies, including implementing accounting systems, reporting frameworks and processes and procedures as well as training staff. I stayed in Malaysia for four years doing this and related work, before returning to Australia in 1998 and joining a merchant bank, Gresham, just launching into the funds management area. The skills learned in Malaysia and then at Gresham, were crucial in my career development and direction.

Four lessons from these early working years, which I still carry with me today, are:

• Continually step outside your comfort zone;
• Challenge yourself;
• People create value; and
• Network.

A Masters is more than postgraduate study, it is an opportunity to meet people in the industry. These contacts should be just as important as the qualification itself.

I would like to wish everyone luck in his or her future endeavours and I look forward to coming across each of you moving forward.

Thank you."

Contact: Skaidy Gulbis

Phone: +61 2 9850 4774