Celebrating a Doctorate at the University of Sydney

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spend an enjoyable afternoon at the Graduation Ceremony in the Great Hall of the University of Sydney with good friend Rev. Dr. Paul O’Donnell, who receives acknowledgement for his doctoral Thesis “Remember and Recognise. Caring for Catholic Patrimony”.

As I sat in this hallowed place taking in the pomp and ceremony, I tried to imagine the day that my late father graduated in the same hall with his Bachelor of Medicine 77 years ago.

My father, Dr Leslie Patrick Musgrave at the time of his graduation at University of Sydney in 1937

I can be sure that my father and the other male graduates would have been wearing suit and tie under their gowns. Unfortunately, not so for many of the young males today; some in T-Shirts and one in sandals and bare legs! God know what he was wearing under his gown! Is there no Dress etiquette for an occasion like this?

utting ceremonial etiquette aside, Paul and I follow tradition and walk into the quadrangle of the famous University listening to the bells of the Carillon in the Clocktower and take some champagne. Another long-standing University of Sydney tradition for graduates is to take a photo in front of the sole and old Jacaranda that always blooms at exam times.

Paul and Jacaranda in the quadrangle of the University of Sydney