Below is important event information about what to expect at the graduation ceremony.

Dress code

Smart casual - strictly no thongs (flip flops, sandals), shorts or denim. Your clothes will be visible under your gown. So, dress to impress!

Academic dress

Certificate I to IV: Gown.
Diploma: Gown with green stole.
Advanced Diploma: Gown with orange stole.
Undergraduate Certificate: Gown with stole (Engineering – rose beige stole. Community, Health – blue stole.)
Bachelor Degree: Gown with hood and mortarboard (Engineering – rose beige hood. Community, Health – blue hood)
Graduate Certificate: Gown with stole and mortarboard (Community, Health – blue stole.)

Please remain gowned until the completion of the ceremony. Remember to take photos in your academic dress with guests prior to entering the theatre. Gowns and stoles will be returned before you exit the theatre. You will NOT be able to leave the theatre in your gown.

Photography

Diprose Media will provide professional photography at the event. The cost has already been incorporated in your registration fee and includes a graduand photo and family photos.

Photos will be available about two weeks after the event in a password protected online gallery, which can be accessed by all graduands. You will be able to view, download and print your photos at your convenience.

Please note, promotional photos and video may also be taken throughout the day for Chisholm’s social media channels and publications.

If you or your guests have any concerns about others being able to view your photos in the gallery, or about your image being used for promotional purposes, please email events@chisholm.edu.au.

Tickets

A ticket must be shown to enter the theatre for the Graduation Ceremony. Please remember to give your guests their printed/digital tickets before you enter the theatre as you will be entering separately. Your guests will be seated as general admission, with all graduands seated at the back of the stalls.

Please note: your ticket will be allocated to you during the registration process – the seat you booked online is not your allocated seat number.

Graduation merchandise

A range of graduation keepsakes, including bears and gift sets, will be available at the event. All proceeds will go directly to the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation, a charity which helps students in financial hardship. Please note this stall is EFTPOS only.

Seating

All graduands will be seated at the back of the theatre with other graduates of their course. Seating is in alphabetical order. It is important to sit in your allocated seat; you should not swap seats or tickets with other graduands. Graduands are requested not to leave their seats or the venue until indicated to do so by Chisholm staff. Graduands are NOT permitted to leave the theatre until the end of the ceremony at approximately 8:30pm.

Please note that graduands and guests are not seated together. All guests must sit in the stalls or dress circle as indicated on their general admission ticket. Doors open for guests at approximately 6:50pm. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Upon arrival and prior to the ceremony 

  • Enter via the foyer and turn left to find the Function Room for registration, gowning and photography
  • Register your attendance, collect your gown and proceed to photography
  • Refreshments will be served until 6.30pm in the Studio, which is located across the foyer near the theatre and library
  • Be ready outside the theatre entrance at 6.30pm for graduand entry into the theatre – please note graduands are seated separately from your guests
  • Your guests will enter the theatre at 6.50pm and seats are general admission

Conferring of Awards

During the ceremony, it’s important to follow these instructions:

  • Graduands will be led by a Chisholm staff member to the stage.
  • The MC will announce your name. You will enter the stage and be presented with a scroll (symbolic of your award) by a member of the Institute Board and Chisholm’s CEO.
  • Once you have received your scroll, you are to proceed off the stage and back to your seat. A Chisholm staff member will meet you when you exit the stage, and direct you back to your seat.
  • If you are eligible for two or more qualifications, you will only be called onto the stage once with the presentation of your highest award
  • At the conclusion of ceremony, you will head back stage to return your graduation gown and stole (if applicable)

Graduation Program

View graduation ceremony program

Handbags and valuables

Graduands are advised not to leave handbags, phones and other valuables on your seat while receiving your award on stage. We recommend that graduands leave handbags, phones and other valuables with their guests until the end of the ceremony. Handbags, phones and other valuables will NOT be permitted on stage.

Accessibility

If you or your guests have special access requirements, please advise Bunjil Place ahead of the event.This venue has one long set of seats in each row (with only one aisle either side of the theatre). Wheelchair seating is available.

Questions

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page, or you can email the Chisholm Events team – events@chisholm.edu.au