KEY POINTS:
A ceremonial hat is a key part of graduating - but for Tabitha Frazer the experience will be extra special.
She will be the latest member in a long line of the Frazer family to wear the trencher when she crosses the stage as one of more than 5500 students graduating with about 6000 qualifications from the University of Auckland between today and Friday week.
The proud family tradition started in 1957, when Ms Frazer's grandfather, Dr Roger Frazer, bought the hat - also known as a mortarboard - before his graduation.
Perhaps surprisingly, the academic head piece is still in almost perfect condition 51 years on.
And it will not look out of place because of the university's long-standing traditions.
Trying it on in advance, Ms Frazer, who graduates on her 25th birthday, found the hat fits - so she will wear it.
"I'm very proud," said Ms Frazer, who gained a Bachelor of Performing Arts in popular music.
After leaving school at 16 to study makeup artistry, Ms Frazer said, she never thought she would eventually go to university.
But a friend persuaded her to enrol to study music and after completing a foundation course, she did.
"It's a good achievement - it's something I never thought that I would do. And it's nice to have your family appreciate it that much."
Dr Frazer said the tradition started after the then-Auckland University College brought back trenchers after many years of graduates going without because of war-time shortages.
"I do not remember if there was a hire service then - most people borrowed from friends," he said.
"The university imported trenchers and had them for sale at 26 shillings - I found the receipt recently among old papers - and sold them through the registry."
Dr Frazer's daughter, Kay Young, was the first of his children to wear it, when she graduated in 1979.
A list kept inside the trencher records the names and dates of wearers.
Ms Frazer's sister, Carina, a Waikato University student, will probably be the next to don the hat.
* To mark the University of Auckland's 125th Jubilee, its coat of arms will be embossed in silver on degree and diploma certificates issued at these and future ceremonies.
GRADUATE NUMBERS
1346 business and economics graduates
1053 science graduates
1014 arts graduates
1004 education graduates
503 medical and health sciences graduates
501 engineering graduates
482 creative arts and industries graduates
224 law graduates
22 theology graduates
Source: University of Auckland
