Long ride: Kelly Dixon prepares to hit the road to collect her university degrees.
ERIN PEARSON
By Erin Pearson
CLIFTON Springs’ Kelly Dixon is in for the ride of her life when she graduates from university in Darwin next month.
Instead of flying north, the mother-of-two will pedal her way 3850 kilometres to collect her arts and teaching degrees from Charles Darwin University.
The 43-year-old “enthusiast for life” said she would set up her camp on roadsides during the gruelling 29-day journey.
Ms Dixon said she chose to embark on the ride so she would never forget her university achievement.
“Education is so important to me, so there’s no point in me graduating without any one knowing about it,” she laughed.
“Life is there for living. The world is an amazing place and you have to bleed every minute out of it.
“This will be a great way of celebrating the three-and-a-half years of hard work I’ve put in to get my double degree.”
Ms Dixon said her 14-year-old son was nervous about the big ride.
“My youngest is consumed with the concern I’m going to die and the other is planning a party but I know they’re very proud.
“There’s no question my first night camping in a desert is going to be nerve-wracking but it’s going to be a very liberating experience.
“I had two children – I reckon I can do this.”
Ms Dixon wanted to use her education to help troubled teens after seeing their plight during work experience at Newcomb Secondary College.
Charles Darwin University’s Richmond Hodgson said the campus was counting down Ms Dixon’s arrival.
“We couldn’t have a better spokesperson for adult education,” Mr Hodgson said.
Ms Dixon will depart from Newcomb Secondary College this Saturday.
