Former Collie student Joanne Piavanini has achieved something in the academic world that not many can do – a PhD.
Ms Piavanini started her academic career here at Collie Senior High School before going to Curtin and Edith Cowan University.
She was a teacher in Perth for 10 years before going to the United Kingdom and Hong Kong to teach. Ms Piavanini returned to Australia four years ago and began her doctorate at Australian National University in Canberra.
On December 15 last year she graduated with a PhD in English Literature. She said it was great to have the opportunity to study at ANU and enjoyed the research.