Victorian grandmother Hilarie Roseman travelled to campus this weekend to graduate as one of the University’s oldest PhD students.

At 82, Roseman’s PhD in international communications focused on Abrahamic communities, and the role of forgiveness.

“Somehow, in many different ways, all of us come to a stage in life when we have to make a decision to forgive,” says Roseman.

“All the material in my thesis can be used by families to help them to forgive. Forgiveness is generated by loving God, and neighbours, in truthful dialogue. The second step of course is reconciliation and the construction of peace.”

Hilarie’s thesis, Generating Forgiveness and Constructing Peace through Truthful Dialogue: Abrahamic Perspectives, has recently been published as a paperback book by World Dignity Press.

“I took some wonderful interviews during my studies – one Jewish woman had 29 of her relatives killed in the holocaust and she was a model for us, as she was so open and positive. All the people interviewed told us how it was for them to be a Jew, a Muslim or a Christian, and how their commitment to God was lived out in their everyday life, in hospitality and care of their neighbours.”

Hilarie describes herself as a conservative Catholic woman who has had eight children with her husband of 55 years and now thirteen grandchildren.

She began her working life in advertising with Clemengers, including a stint in London, before having children and becoming involved in family life education, and a program for families called Family Clusters. Her studies comprised theology, sociology, communication research and visual arts. ­

“As an older woman, I took advantage of the wonderful opportunity to study when Gough Whitlam made the pursuit of knowledge available without cost.

“An older person is more settled and it doesn’t matter so much about the pass or fail. I am very grateful that my supervisor at Macquarie University, Professor Naren Chitty, helped me continue on when things got difficult. I am grateful and honour all the academics at Macquarie University.”

Macquarie’s 24 May graduation session was also the first to be live-streamed.

The YouTube streaming service allowed family and friends of our graduates who are unable to attend to watch the ceremonies live from wherever they are in the world.

More than 500 students graduated from all four faculties in front of 1500 family and friends, while 75 staff from across campus donated their time to participate in the academic processions, along with many dedicated alumni volunteers on the day.