Last Wednesday we proudly held our biggest graduation celebration to date! 🎓🎊
In 1 afternoon we recognised, celebrated, and graduated 228 international students, from 25 countries, across 13 different qualifications, from our Darwin campus.
Held at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in Darwin City, guests were welcomed with a First Nations Welcome to Country performed by Mr. Richard Fejo, followed by a ceremonial welcome speech from our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Alana Anderson.
Attendees and graduates were then treated to some impactful speeches from some of our honoured guests of the evening, Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM Minister for International Education, Mr. Luke Gosling OAM, MP Member for Soloman, and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Governor of Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM once again took the stage to join Ms. Alana Anderson to commence the presenting of certificates to our graduating students in our Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management, Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Leadership and Management, and Diploma of Project Management qualifications.
Two of our notable students, Kathryn Vera Abalos Cruz (2024 Study NT Ambassador and 2025 Project Management Graduate), and Leover John Navarro (2025 Individual Support Graduate), were then recognised as the recipients of our Outstanding Student Awards before certificate presentations resumed with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Ms. Alana Anderson presenting to our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – 5 scholars from Negros Occidental Philippines, Diploma of Business, Diploma of Community Services, Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building), Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, and Certificate IV in Ageing Support graduates.
Mr. Luke Gosling OAM, MP then once again took the stage to join Ms. Alana Anderson in presenting the final certificates of the night to our graduating students from our Certificate III in Individual Support, and our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualifications.
With all graduate certificates now presented, it was time to cut the celebratory cake where Ms. Alana Anderson was once again joined by Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM Minister for International Education, and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Governor of Negros Occidental, Philippines, along with Mr. John Rivas, Consulate General of Philippines in Darwin, and Outstanding Students Awards Recipients, Kathryn Vera Abalos Cruz and Leover John Navarro to do the celebratory honours.
The final speech of the night came from our Manager of International Operations, Mr. David Thomson as he delivered a moving vote of thanks to all of our graduates, guests, and attendees.
Some of our visiting guests and government representatives from the Philippines took once more to the stage to surprise Ms. Alana Anderson with a lovely appreciation gift to Alana Kaye College for supporting their students from Negros Occidental, Philippines. We were truly honoured to receive such a beautiful commemorative and surprise gift from our partners and friends from Negros Occidental.
We’d like to firstly offer our congratulations and best wishes to all of our graduating students. Saying goodbye to so many of you is never easy, but we couldn’t be prouder of all that you’ve achieved in your time with us. We know you’re all destined for big things in this life and we wish you all, sincerely, the best in your futures.
We’d like to also extend our appreciation and thanks to our stakeholders, partners, and friends who came out to support our students.
To our MC’s of the night, our fellow staff members, Jaya Srinivas OAM, and Melgie Atis, you were fabulous hosts, as we knew you would be! To our guest presenters, the Hon. Robyn Cahill OA, Mr. Luke Gosling OAM, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Mr. Richard Fejo, we thank you for your honoured participation.
To our guests of note, Manuel Brown MLA, Michael Hall, John Rivas, Edna Rivas, Cathy White, Rayfrando Diaz, Mary Jane Diaz, Charina Tan, Karen Dinsay, Kate Heelan, Michael Hamilton, Amelia Nuku, Yaam Thapa, Sabeeha Nihad, Hriday Nayyar, Brijesh Dagar, Kelana Jaya, Kiran Brar, Bimal Pandey, Carol Abella, Anna Vida Camahalan, Tristan Legaspi, Tamara Monzon-Yates, and our attending representatives from Golden Glow Nursing, Regis Aged Care, Territory Care and Support Services (TCASS), Carpentaria, JMJ Disability Services, Top End Early Learning Centre, and Happy Trails Early Learning Centre, Tristan Buenaventura, Maria Gumban, Lydeth Steel, Betty McKinlay, Chami Jayasinghe, and Sushila Kattel – we sincerely thank you for your attendance and your continued support for our students and our college.
To see the full set of photos from the evening, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to offer a special thank you to DKJ Studio for capturing many of our wonderful photos from the evening!
