Degree completed at 70

Indigenous Peninsula resident Ms Anita Selwyn has completed a Bachelor of Community Management at Macquarie University at the age of 70.

Ms Selwyn, who now lives in Woy Woy, grew up in a time when education for indigenous people was minimal and this strengthened her resolve later in life to learn.

"It was something that had always played on my mind," she said.

"I wanted to better myself," Ms Selwyn said

Ms Selwyn has been undertaking TAFE courses for the past 17 years and through gaining her Diploma of Aboriginal Studies she was accepted into Macquarie University.

During the course's four year duration, Ms Selwyn said there were challenging times because of her background and she had considered giving up.

Ms Selwyn now undertakes volunteer work around the Peninsula and is involved in tutoring aboriginal children at Woy Woy Public School and in the Ganang Spirit Dancers.

The Ganang Spirit Dancers are a group of 15 aboriginal children aged between four and 13.

The group practices twice a week and Ms Selwyn said the aim was for the children to "learn about their culture through dance and song".

Ms Selwyn originally from Dubbo in the Wiradjuri area, moved to the Central Coast 10 years ago.

Her daughter also recently completed a Bachelor of Aboriginal Archaeology at Armidale University.

Kevin Holloway, 2 Oct 2009 Interviewee: Anita Selwyn, Woy Woy