90-year-old woman receives master's degree.

Lorna Prendergast, a resident of Bairnsdale, Australia, received her Master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Melbourne on the afternoon of July 27th. When Lorna's name was announced, everyone in the auditorium was surprised because she was 90 years old and had enrolled in an online course.

Sharing her story at the ceremony, Lorna hoped it would help the hundreds of students in attendance understand that it's never too old to dream and pursue your dreams.

"The more I know, the more I want to share my experiences with younger people. In particular, I want to dispel the notion that you're too old to pursue something," she added.

Lorna decided to pursue a master's degree after her husband, Jim, passed away in 2016. After a difficult year of coming to terms with the reality, she realized it was time to move on with her life. She happened to watch the ABC science program Catalyst, which discussed music for people with dementia. The program brought back memories of her time in a nursing home and how music had helped her and other patients.

From there, she decided to enroll in a Master's program in Gerontology at the University of Melbourne. Her research focus was on using music as a temporary relief method for people with dementia.

To pursue this major, Lorna had to study online using technological devices. Initially, it was very challenging for an older person like Lorna, who was not tech-savvy and had dropped out of school many years ago. She had to figure out how to use computers, online learning programs, and how to give online presentations. Thanks to her passion for music, she overcame the difficulties and earned her master's degree.

Associate Professor Rosemary McKenzie, Lorna's mentor, said the 90-year-old student is an inspiration not only to her but to everyone at the school. "Lorna has a remarkable work ethic and quickly grasped the online curriculum," she said.

With Australia's current trend of an aging population, Associate Professor Rosemary expects to see more older students at the university.

Speaking about her future plans, Lorna said she wants to spend time with her family before deciding on her next project. She is certain that she will continue pursuing her goals because "it's never too old to dream."