Today was the day of my graduation ceremony. After seven-and-a-half years of full-time university study, my PhD degree was conferred today in the Wilson Hall at the University of Melbourne.

Standing under the cloisters at the University of Melbourne.

As usual, there was much pomp and ceremony for an occassion of this nature. Following a tradition that goes back to mediæval times, a procession of academics, doctoral graduants and the Deputy Chancellor entered the hall as the pipe organ was played. Once all were seated, the graduations began. Strict formality was maintained throughout the morning.

The University conferred degrees for several hundred students today, both undergraduate and postgraduate and from a range of disciplines. As I expected, we doctoral graduants were the last to have our degrees conferred! But it was worth the wait.

After the formal ceremony was over, lunch was provided and then photos taken. In keeping with tradition at the University of Melbourne, cliché photographs were taken under the cloisters of the Old Law Quad buildings, which are the oldest part of the University dating back to 1855.

It was an enjoyable day and I felt quite a sense of achievement as I had my degree awarded in the presence of my family and academic peers. Of course this graduation marks a formal end to my career as a student, and that in itself is worth celebrating!