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A hundred years (and a couple of weeks) ago, UWA's first graduate was presented with his degree in Government House ballroom.

The University was housed in modest buildings in Irwin Street in the city (now Northbridge) so there was nowhere as grand as Winthrop Hall to celebrate the first graduation ceremony.

Edward Sydney Simpson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with first class Honours on 29 July 1914.

He had previously graduated from the University of Sydney in 1895 with a bachelor of Engineering (also with Honours) in mining and metallurgy. A couple of years later he was offered the position of Mineralogist and Assayer and Chief Chemist in the WA Mines Department.

After many years in responsible positions, he was encouraged by his colleagues to enrol in a Bachelor of Geology at the new University. At the age of 37, he was one of the oldest of the inaugural 184 students.

Because of the credits he was given for units he completed in his engineering degree, Mr Simpson was able to complete his geology degree the following year, which made him the first ever student with a degree from UWA.

At that first graduation ceremony, eight Honorary Doctorates were also bestowed.

Our first graduate is remembered with the Edward Sydney Simpson Prize, awarded annually to the best third year student in mineralogy at UWA and the Simpson Collection of 5,500 geological samples at the WA Museum.

Thanks to Convocation of UWA Graduates for information about Mr Simpson.