The inaugural RCH Graduation was held in the Ella Latham Theatre on Thursday 3^rd April to celebrate the graduation of our patients beyond the care of the Royal Children’s Hospital and to wish them well for their transfer to adult health services. Attended by 45 patients, the event was a collaboration between Transition Services, Live Wire (Starlight Foundation) and the Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS) Program (Centre for Adolescent Health). Graduating patients, their families and friends along with RCH clinicians and senior members of the RCH Executive including the CEO were in attendance. The ceremony included a key note speech by Professor Susan Sawyer (Director, Centre for Adolescent Health) who acknowledged that while many patients and their families would miss the staff at the RCH, that they were not alone: “As you have grown up with us, whether you like it or not, you have also become part of our lives, and you will also be missed by us”. On behalf of all of the RCH staff, she thanked the young people for “allowing us the honour of being part of your lives”. Following this, a new ‘graduate’ shared her story with the audience that was followed by a DVD screening of well wishes from clinicians, and finally, the presentation of graduating certificates. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the photo booth provide a great hit with patients, family, friends and staff alike who all had fun documenting the special occasion over refreshments.

The occasion highlighted a very significant event in the lives of our transitioning patients. Feedback has been exceptionally positive, which suggests we can look forward to the event becoming a regular feature on the RCH calendar.