John Clarke - Honorary Doctorate of Literature Speech

In this ode to Victoria University, (Doctor) John Clarke reminisces about the good times, and the ... good times. Having little idea what he wanted to study, Clarke found solace in the intelligent and creative mates he met on campus — as well as the tutors who recognised his comic talents. In this clip, 40 years after Clarke first stepped foot on the Wellington campus, he gives a speech after being awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature at an event for ex students in Melbourne. Clarke never finished his degree — he was too busy acting in student revues, where a close relative of Fred Dagg made an early appearance. 

One of the great delights of parties in those days in Wellington — and there were only parties, there was nothing else to do in Wellington at that time — was that at some point in the evening we'd all sing. We'd song every song we knew.

– John Clarke

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John Clarke

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