Dr Hillary scales another peak

Sir Edmund Hillary and his wife, Lady June, at the Waikato University ceremony yesterday. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Sir Edmund Hillary yesterday added a fourth honorary doctorate to his mountain of awards and tributes.

The 87-year-old attended the Waikato University's spring graduation ceremony to receive his accolade and took the attention in his stride with typical humility.

Among the honours bestowed on the Everest conqueror has been appointment to the Order of the Garter, the world's oldest national order of knighthood, limited to no more than 25 full members, or companions.

"As far as I'm concerned the fact that it is happening in my own area makes it all the more special," he said yesterday. "I was born in Auckland but I've spent a great deal of time in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, so it's very much an area I see as a home for me.

"I've been lucky enough to receive a number of honorary doctorates [from Victoria University, and Canada and Australia], but most of them have been from distant countries, so it's nice to have this happen at home.

"I feel considerable warmth towards Waikato, I certainly hope they do well in the rugby ... I think it will be a pretty tough game but Waikato have been playing very well."

Although alert, he appeared frail and slightly unsteady. He wore the full university regalia sporting the region's red, yellow and black.

Sir Edmund said the award was a "great honour". Right hand clasped on his walking stick, he leaned in to listen to questions, and sat back to consider his response before answering with the air of a true scholar and gentleman.

On the subject of graduating student Jamie Fitzgerald, who will next month partner Kevin Biggar in a marathon quest to reach the South Pole and back, he eased back and smiled: "I wish them both well."

He patiently posed for photographs and signed $5 bills, which feature his image.

Yesterday, former university vice-chancellor and British MP Bryan Gould (born in Hawera), joined Sir Edmund in accepting an honorary doctorate, Waikato University's most prestigious award.

Past recipients include Sir Howard Morrison, Janet Frame, Dame Malvina Major, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Neil and Tim Finn, Michael King and Margaret Mahy.

A total of 1150 Waikato University degrees have been conferred at the Founders Theatre in Hamilton this year over four days of ceremonies.