The Graduate

The lad done well, and graduated easily with now Master's degree in Food Science and Technology. I am looking at envelope that contained details for attendance at the event and after his identify number at RMIT, it says "Name on Testamur". I have no idea what this word means, but I suppose related to testament. One of you edjicated types will know, I am sure.

Phyllis indicated the event was from 1pm to 5pm. That can't be. We trammed and trained our way there, and as usual his organisation for meeting people was chaotic. It was hot and I told them to buzz off while I bought an iced coffee. They reappeared both with bahn mi in their hands to eat as we walked across the Bourke Street bridge at the northern end of Southern Cross Station. We met with Miss capital of Peru and another of his friends. I am old and have old manners, which means you don't eat food while you are walking in public, but I didn't really notice it. 

I did notice when Phyllis handed his not quite finished bahn mi to me, and disappeared with his friends to where he was supposed to be. "Kosov, you take this", which he did as he continued to eat his own bahn mi. "Onnndreww, I need to find the tickets in my bag. Hold one of the bahn mi". It was very busy but the queue with a bag check and even female purses were quickly checked. Sensibly Kosov suggested we sit at the back to make a quick exit. Oh gosh, the seats were hard plastic, and as the heat rose, so did the hardness of the seats. 

We sat there for the best part of an hour or more before anything happened, and then there was some singing and dancing, Kosov having already finished both bahn mi. Although the seats were reserved, that went out the window. People kept coming and going, bringing in fried food and whatever. It is odd that so many had not eaten before attending. I'll keep my old fashioned thoughts about eating in public to myself.

Eventually things began, with speeches, none of which I could properly hear, so I am unsure why an indigenous person teared up when receiving a doctorate or something like that. Speakers are not honoured by audience silence as they speak? Apparently not, again I am out of step with modern behaviour.

Eventually the handing out of certificates began, sometime after 3.30. They were grouped by what type of degree they were awarded. This was really well done. Their names were displayed on a screen just before they reached the official to receive their certificate, as the person giving our the certificates tipped his hat to them upon their approach. They turned to face a camera, snapped, and off they went. 

As soon as I saw Phyllis receive his award, I was out of there. Shortly after, Kosov came out. I was going home and Kosov would go back in to wait for Phyllis. My hard walk to get to the 58 tram in the heat was fine, if exhausting. By the time Phyllis and Kosov left, the area was so crowded with people leaving the venue, they were just slowly shuffling forward.

Any wise person would have caught public transport to the venue but many had booked parking at a nearby commercial carpark. They arrived, and according to morning radio the next day, the car park was full. People were exiting trying to tell people entering that there was no parking. If you are not going to use public transport, then wouldn't paying $40 for a guaranteed parking space be a good idea? It seems not. What a disgrace. 

My cunning plan for next year when Kosov graduates is arrive at 3.30, stand at the back to see him receive his award and then bolt. 

I don't have a huge criticism of the organisation of the event. Docklands Stadium can hold around 60,000 people. The two lower tiers of the stadium were full, and the top level about 1/3 full, so say something around 40,000 spectators, two hundred staff and faculty, one hundred performers, plus the graduates. The multiple viewing screens were excellent. 

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is a huge college, with campuses all over the world. In my estimate, 80% of the RMIT graduates were from the Indian subcontinent, 5% white Australian, 10% South East Asian and Chinese, and the remainder 'others'.

It was a very interesting experience, and many of graduates and audience were dressed to the nines.

Her are a few snaps. 

Tipping the hat to each new graduate. 

  

I expect I may have to correct a few things tomorrow in this post.