GRADUATION TRIP

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND

After studying for a Bachelor of Teaching degree in Early Childhood Education through the Internet,  my daughter, Carol, graduated last weekend from the University of New England in Armidale, a city approximately 525 kilometres north from where we live on the outskirts of Sydney.

My younger daughter Kelly and I travelled to Armidale the day before the graduation and met up with Carol and Luke, her husband, and the following day saw us heading off to the University Campus - and what a campus !  There wouldn't be many universities set in 260 hectares of grounds.

They even have their own mob of kangaroos as well as lots of other wildlife.

The University buildings are scattered over a large area surrounded by wide roads and spacious parklands.






The main building in the Booloominbah Administration part of the University is the homestead of the original grant of land presented to the University of Sydney by the late Mr. T. R Foster for the establishment of a university college which ultimately became the New England University.

The weather was warm and clear, the sun was shining and a stage and many chairs were all set out ready for the graduates and their families to attend the ceremony.

While the formalities of registering were going on Carol sat with us but as the commencement drew close she had to join her fellow graduates.

The Chancellor was unable to attend so the Vice Chancellor took over his duties and after the grand parade of the faculty members and officials he declared the event open. 

After lots of speeches and many other awards it was finally Carol's turn to receive her degree from the Vice Chancellor.  When other graduates were presented with their degrees, their supporters in the crowd were shouting and whistling their support and I thought at the time that Carol would be worried in case Kelly had decided to outdo everyone.  As it was she behaved like a perfect lady and just politely applauded - much to Carol's relief since she had indeed been fearful of what Kelly could come up with !

It was over so quickly after years of work.

...... and then the rains came - fortunately after the ceremony was over but those taking photographs were drenched !

Kelly found out that it is not a good idea to run uphill on grass in new high heeled shoes especially when you drop your sunglasses and have to run back for them !


I waited under the trees while my son-in-law fetched a large umbrella from the car.


After I finally reached the shelter of the crowded verandas around the old homestead, Luke braved the storm yet again to drive the car up closer to the building.  While we were well and truly wet - he was absolutely soaked through to the skin ! 

Carol has now started a year's post graduate study so we will probably be heading up this way again in the not too distant future.  Luke will be finishing his Engineering Degree and graduating from the Sydney University of Technology in the new year.