Ms Campion graduated last year with a Diploma in Liberal Art through the Clemente Australia program.

She said she wanted to be a good role model to her children.

“I want to show them the importance of education,” Ms Campion said.

“Doing the diploma has given me the confidence to go on and do other studies.”

Ms Campion is one of more than 60 past and present student who gathered at the Australian Catholic University Aquinas Campus on Thursday  to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Clemente Australia.

Click the picture to see photos from the event

The Clemente Australia program began in 2003 in collaboration with the St Vincent de Paul Society, to provide a tertiary-level educational opportunity for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians.

The Ballarat Clemente program has been operating since 2008.

Institute for Advancing Community Engagement Associate Professor Peter Howard said the Clemente program had seen opportunities and choices open up in people’s lives across the Ballarat community. 

“The program has also enhanced community well-being and capacity,” Professor Howard said.

Ballarat Clemente is a joint initiative between Australian Catholic University, University of Ballarat, City of Ballarat, Ballarat Libraries, United Way, Centacare Ballarat and The Smith Family.