When Lorna Prendergast attended her graduation ceremony at the University of Melbourne recently, the audience at the Royal Exhibition Building erupted in applause because, Lorna is 90 years young.
Her teacher, Associate Professor Rosemary McKenzie, said Mrs Prendergast was an “inspiration
It’s certainly not every day a 90-year-old receives a master’s degree and it’s even less common for older students to complete the whole course, but Lorna says, ‘you’re never too old to dream”.
After her husband of 64 years died Mrs Prendergast wondered where she was going to do with her life and so returned to study in her late 80’s via distance learning.
The focus of Lorna’s studies was music as a form of temporary relief for people affected by dementia.
Hailing from the country town of Bairnsdale, 300km east of Melbourne, she says she had to adjust to changes in technology but as a former telephonist and librarian she was up for the challenge.
Mrs Prendergast hopes that by speaking about her experience of returning to study, other older people will realise you are never too old to learn.
She says, “The more I know, the more I want them to follow their dreams. Nobody is too old to sit down and say, ‘I’m too old, I can’t do it!’
Her teacher, Associate Professor Rosemary McKenzie, says Mrs Prendergast is an ‘inspiration’.
We certainly think she is!
