The other day staff at the Woodhill Park Research Retreat received a text message from a very excited Simon Martin, a doctoral candidate who for the past few years has worked, on and off, at completing his thesis at the Woodhill Park Research Retreat.  He told us he had passed his Viva Voce. 

The Viva Voce, for those who may not know, is the oral exam that typically accompanies the examination of a doctoral thesis.  Aside from the graduation ceremony, it represents either the ultimate act, or in some instances, the penultimate act within a doctoral candidature.  If there are no amendments (known as emendations) to the thesis, it becomes the final test or act, but if there are emendations, these must be completed, generally to the satisfaction of the primary thesis supervisor and the candidate's head of school before the final copy of the thesis can be deposited with the examination office. Completing these emendations, together with the thesis lodgment, thus constitutes a final act for the candidate.  It is at that point that the candidate is given a signed-off form which is a green light to graduation.  

Typically, the majority of candidates have some emendations to complete - occasionally only a few, but quite often, more than a few.  In Simon's case, he has three minor emendations, a few paragraphs only, to complete.  It is not well known that Simon once noted when asked why he was studying for a doctorate, a proclivity for the prospect of being able to call himself Doc Martin!  So Woodhill Park staff say, "Well done, Simon - good on you for soon becoming "Doc" Martin.  And well done to your family who so ably and consistently supported you in your long endeavours."
  
Actually, there have been a number of successes with which staff at the Woodhill Park Research Retreat have recently been associated but notably, the support of partners, family and colleagues has been a consistent feature for each candidate.  

Peter McClennaghan, from the UNE completed his Ph.D. whilst teaching at that university and although he worked at a distance, he had Jens as his co-supervisor.  Without doubt, Peter's wife Mary was an unsung supporter in Peter's work as were his three sons and a number of his colleagues at the UNE.  Lyn Lavery wrote up most of her Ph.D. whilst living in the flat at the Retreat and her family were always there when she needed them.  Dr. Henare Broughton completed his Master of Medical Science at the University of Auckland with Jens as a mentor and adviser and with much support from the rugby union fraternity with which he is so heavily involved.  Henare's thesis examined injury prevention strategies in the tackle phase of rugby union and he is now off to Trinity College in Ireland to study for a doctorate in Medical Science.   

A Hansen family member, Belinda, gained first class honours for her Auckland Arts degree which accompanies her Ll.B., B.A. degrees awarded last year by the University of Otago.  Her gigantic effort at the end of last year was very pleasing, albeit stressfully frantic and her partner was the person who calmly kept her on task.  More recently, in February 2009, Jacinta Hawkins, from Massey University submitted her Ph.D. thesis for examination with Jens having worked closely with her as a mentor.  Her journey was frenetic at the end but, as was the case for Simon, her family has supported her all the way.  Jacinta's father was a particularly careful, critical and able proof-reader and her partner, Darren, like Jacinta's mother, was just quietly there.  They each supported Jacinta in whatever way was needed.  

In addition, two AUT doctoral candidates continue to work closely with Jens in the field of early childhood education and they should, Jens thinks, be completed within the next half year or thereabouts.  And for these two candidates, the support of family, friends and colleagues continues to be important.       

Two other AUT doctoral candidates (who are working in the health sciences field) quite regularly visit the retreat for writing weekends and still two others, from Unitec, who wish to enrol at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi to complete doctorates from a Kaupapa Maori perspective, periodically visit the Retreat in order to advance their application and proposal work.  In all cases they have talked about and acknowledged the important supportive and pastoral roles which family, friends and colleagues continue to play.   

It all goes to show that even though helping postgraduates to achieve success remains a cornerstone for staff at the Woodhill Park Research Retreat, the vital role of other close support people cannot be overstated.