Ahead of Flinders’ April graduation ceremonies, we spoke with Senior Achievement and Graduations Officer Tessa Caldicott about her favourite memories from past graduation ceremonies, and why the mace bearer has an important role to play.
What is your role at Flinders?
As the Senior Achievement and Graduations Officer at Flinders University, I oversee the planning and execution of graduation ceremonies, to ensure a seamless experience for thousands of graduating students, families and friends.
How did you get into this line of work?
After starting as a university linguistics student, I gravitated towards front-facing student support roles. After completing my studies, I transitioned to a Graduations position with UniSA, then led a successful online student support and retention team. Joining Flinders University in August 2023 marked a significant milestone for me, representing a decade of diverse university positions.
What’s it like being part of Flinders’ graduations?
Behind the scenes we often face logistical challenges with preliminary organisation of the events to ensure a smooth flow during the ceremony. The greatest feedback we receive is that “everything looked perfect”, because we work tirelessly out of sight to guarantee this. We also feel immense pride when graduates walk across the stage to receive their Testamurs. It’s a reminder of the impact that the Graduations team can make.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I enjoy creative problem-solving. There are plenty of hiccups when organising ceremonies for up to 10,000 people across a handful of days. I also love seeing the vision come to life. There’s a sense of fulfilment that comes from seeing months of planning and preparation culminate in a successful graduation ceremony.
What’s the best memory you have from a graduation ceremony?
I love witnessing a sea of family members come together to celebrate the achievements of a single student. This ranges from grandparents to newborns, with everyone dressed up and gathered to support their loved one’s milestone – and it’s quite moving. It really encapsulates that the ceremonies are not just about individual accomplishments, but also represent the collective journey of families and communities coming together to empower the next generation. They usually give the loudest cheers, as well.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I like to think of myself as a chief toddler entertainer. You’ll find my two-year-old and me spending our spare time in a body of water or exploring all the culinary treats Adelaide has to offer.
What’s a fun fact about your job?
Did you know the mace bearer at the graduation ceremonies must be between the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor to protect them from enemies? It’s more symbolic than literal – but fascinating, nevertheless.