University study later in life

Universities pretty much used to consist of students that were drawn from Private Schools such as Eton & Harrow College's in England. Until 1902 there were no publicly-supported secondary schools in England. Many of whom were selected and offered a scholarship for further study. This often suited the oft well to do families as they were used to their children being boarded out at these Private Schools which included college accommodation.

In my view having the opportunity to study at University as it is for me is the most rewarding thing you can do. I for one returned to University a year ago I can really tell you that it is just the best experience. Look I last went to University in 1986 where I undertook an Arts degree. This was at the Australian National University(ANU) in Canberra. Canberra is Australia capital and is the home of the Nations institutions such as the Federal Parliament, War Memorial,High Court,National Library, National Museum,National Art Gallery, National Science Museum and home to a well educated community mostly employed in the public service.

Well I really enjoyed studying my degree in Canberra the ANU as it is called by everyone is a great University. Up there in the top teaching and research universities in the world. I was fortunate enough to stay at Bruce Hall College whilst I was there meeting up with many great and interesting people such as the late William(Bill) Packard who had climbed Mount Everest in 1952 and was a legend on campus as the Warden of Bruce Hall. Bill started an annual event called Inward Bound.

Inward Bound*clickis an event similar to Orienteering and is properly called Rogaining. In Rogaining as in Inward bound competitors are dropped off in the middle of nowhere given several maps and have to make there way on foot to a geographical point which is only disclosed to you after you have been dropped off. Well in Bill Packard's version of Inward Bound student in groups of four are dropped off at midnight . This is one of those events that will live with me forever. The total walking/jogging time took us 35 hours.spread days. We managed to get some sleep lying in the deep leaf litter of the Brindabella Ranges.(to be continued)