Attendees of Wednesday's University of Newcastle graduation ceremony were greeted by a very special guest as former Prime Minister John Howard was awarded an honorary doctorate.
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Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister was one of two former leaders chosen to receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters honoris causa with Julia Gillard to accept hers on a future date.
The university said they were recognised for their contributions to the nation and the higher education sector.
Delivering the assembly's Occasional Address, Mr Howard urged the graduates to "maintain the sense of optimism" and acknowledge those who supported them on their academic journey.
"It's inevitable on an occasion such as this that I reflect on a day in March of 1961 when I graduated as a Bachelor of Laws at Sydney University," he said.
"I was accompanied by my mother - my father died some years earlier - and I reflected then on what I owed to both my parents, they had made it possible and you of course will reflect today as you receive your degrees on the sacrifice that your parents and other loved ones have made in order to achieve the outcome today."
Mr Howard also reflected on his Newcastle connection. His wife's parents grew up in the area and she "retains very strong family links".
"Even though I'm wearing the red and white, the colours of the St George Illawarra Dragons, I'm nonetheless reminded of the debt that I owe to the Hunter and the people of Newcastle," he said.
"I was very familiar with some of the challenges that have confronted Newcastle particularly at the time of the closure many years ago of steel manufacture in this city. I know how many people tended to write the city off but of course it wasn't to be written off. It recovered and it soared to greater heights. It diversified, it embraced new activities and it met all the great challenges and the university has been there every step of the way."
Mr Howard also said he was "chuffed" to be honoured by the university.
"I am very touched by it," he said. "It really is a very special thing and it is really generous."
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