NEED TO KNOW

When is Grand Graduations?
In 2019, the first Grand Graduation event will take place at 10.30am on Tuesday 10 December.

Where is it?
The actual event will take place on the lawns of University Avenue, however students will assemble in the Kambri Cultural Centre beforehand (from 9.30am) for robing and mustering before the student parade.

There is no cost associated with obtaining a robe for the Grand Graduations event. 

Students, please let your guests know that only graduating students will be permitted into the Cultural Centre and that they should be in their seats no later than 10.15am.

What is the difference between the Grand Graduations event and the conferring of awards Graduation ceremonies?
At Conferring of Awards ceremonies students are conferred and ‘cross the stage’ (in Llewellyn Hall) to receive their degrees. These ceremonies also usually feature an Honorary Doctorate conferral and a guest speaker. This is your formal Graduation.

Grand Graduations is a celebration of the successful completion of your studies for everyone, including ANU staff and the broader community. This is a special celebratory event for ANU students and their supporters.

We want to make sure you can bring all your friends and families and you can celebrate your graduation students across any discipline. We know how hard you’ve worked to get here, and that many people in your lives have been part of that journey, so we want you to be able share your success with them all.

Will I still get my degree?
There are no degrees conferred at the Grand Graduation ceremonies – There are no changes to Conferring of Awards Graduation ceremonies in December 2019. Attendance at Grand Graduations event is optional.

What if I’m not graduating on Tuesday 10 December 2019?
You should still come! It will be fun and another opportunity to celebrate with your friends and family.

Do I have to attend?
Attendance at the 2019 event is NOT compulsory, however, we would encourage you to attend with your friends and family to experience the first of what is sure to be an exciting, inspirational and memorable experience.

ROBING

Where do I pick up my robes for Grand Graduations?
Students are asked to assemble in the Cultural Centre, Kambri, by 9.30am for robing and quick briefing before the student parade. There will be entertainment and photo opportunities until the parade starts. Please note, Grand Graduations robing will not involve hoods or mortarboards/bonnets.

Where do I drop off my robes for the Grand Graduations event?
If you are not graduating in any of the Tuesday Conferring of Awards ceremonies, please drop your robes off at the Cultural Centre by 2pm on Tuesday 10 December 2019.

Students graduating at the Conferring of Awards ceremonies in Llewellyn Hall on Tuesday 10 December 2019
If you are attending the 2pm or 5.30pm Conferring of Awards graduation ceremonies, and will be attending the Grand Graduations event, you can elect to hold onto your robes until your later ceremony. You will still have to pay for your robes as normal. Please follow the same arrangements as outlined for your Conferring of Awards graduation ceremony as as you will still need to collect your hood/stole, trencher/mortarboard or bonnet, and be registered and allocated seating.

What if I am graduating on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday?
Students graduating on these days will still need to return their robes on the Tuesday 10 December after the Grand Graduations event to the Cultural Centre by 2pm and follow the normal Conferring of Awards Graduation Process for registering and collecting robes on their graduation day. Please visit https://www.anu.edu.au/students/graduation/5-graduation-day for more information.

Robing information for staff/ANU community
If you are attending the Grand Graduations event as an ANU Community memeber, and have access to robes, we encourage you to wear them on the day.

ON THE DAY

What can I expect on the day?

9.00am - Students assemble in the Cultural Centre, Kambri for robing
10.15am - Student parade begins down University Avenue
10.35am - Grand Graduation event begins (a full running order will be available shortly)
11.40am - Family picnic (for students and their guests)
12.30pm - students graduating in the 2pm Conferring of Awards ceremony make their way to Llewellyn Hall
1pm - Official close of event. Students return robes to Cultural Centre.

Robing for the student parade
Students are asked to assemble for robing in the Cultural Centre, Kambri, no later than 9.30am. We will have some special entertainment and activities to keep your energy up before the student parade begins at 10.25am. Your guests are free to grab a coffee or snack in the many dining establishments in the Kambri precinct. 

Please remind your guests to be seated by 10.15am, we'd hate for them to miss the parade (or not get a seat).

Robing for the parade will be managed by Reed Graduation Services. There is NO COST involved for robing for Grand Graduations however, you will still need to go through the normal processes for the purchasing of robing for your Conferring of Award graduation ceremony.

GUESTS

How many family/friends can I bring?
You can bring as many guests as you like to Grand Graduations, however, we ask that you let us know if you plan on joining the picnic after so we can make sure we can accommodate numbers.

PICNIC

Picnic for graduating students and their guests
Students and their guests are invited to a free picnic after Grand Graduations. To avoid food waste, we ask that you only register for the picnic if you and your guests intend to attend.

Closer to the date you will be sent tickets for the picnic which you will have to show to pick up your picnic pack.

Most dietary requirements will be catered for. Please specify your requirements during registration.

A note about picnic guests
Although you can bring as many friends and family as you want to the Grand Graduations event, we asked that you only register them to attend the picnic if you intend to attend. Food waste minimisation is very important to us, so we kindly ask for your support with this.

WET WEATHER

What if it rains?
If it’s just a little drizzle, we have ponchos to keep you dry. If it’s a major downpour we will move to our indoor wet weather option. Please make sure you download the event app, or keep an eye on Facebook or this page, to keep up-to-date with any information. Please note, the event app is currently under development and instructions about how to download it will be included in your pre-event email. 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Reducing our carbon footprint
Where possible, the Grand Graduations event will feature products that are either recyclable, degradable or can be downloaded onto your phone to reduce the need for printing. We are currently building an event app which will be available shortly. We hope the app will negate the need to things like order of ceremonies so please download it when we send the link around.

Social media
Keep an eye on our Facebook and Snapchat [@ourANU] for on the day filters. We’re also looking for some (paid) digital ambassadors to help with content on the day. If you’re interested you can find out more about the position here.

HOW DO I REGISTER
Students, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/76182061597/ 
The rest of the ANU Community, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/78114122443/