State's oldest VCE student 1:03
At age 70, Joan Oliver is the state's oldest VCE student
State’s oldest VCE student says she’s just getting started
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AT 70, Joan Oliver has been bitten by the study bug.
The state’s oldest VCE student has belatedly received her year 12 results this week at Victoria Polytechnic, but she’s not done yet.
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She’s now planning on doing a degree in criminal justice with a scholarship from Victoria University.
“I just intended getting my VCE but study has become addictive,” she laughs.
She admits to being disappointed by her ATAR of 51.45, but is happy to finally complete her schooling.
Mrs Oliver’s mother took her out of school at 13 and sent her to work at a dressing gown factory, and she’s always harboured a desire to go back.
“I’m not happy with my results, I don’t know why it wasn’t better,” she says.
“I put in a lot of work.
“I’m a bit of a results-driven person and I did put a lot of pressure on myself.
“But I think it is quite an achievement after so many years away from school to go back and pass.”
She says her two sons and husband were very proud of her, no matter her scores.
“My husband was a bit taken aback at first but as time went on he was quite chuffed,” she says.
“When he takes our dog for a walk, he tells everyone.”