Tim Minchin, renowned rock n roll superstar, received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from his alma mater, University of Western Australia (UWA) in Perth Tuesday night.
The celebrated comedian, actor and musician delivered the Occasional Address to graduates and acknowledged the honorary doctorate for his contribution to the arts.
"Arts degrees are awesome and they help you find meaning where there is none - and let me assure you, there is none," Minchin said. "Don't go looking for it. Searching for meaning is like searching for a rhyme scheme in a cookbook."You won't find it and it will bugger up your souffle."
Along with the inspirational speech, the former arts student also shared nine valuable life lessons. London-based Minchin's first advice was not to have a dream.
"I advocate passionate dedication to the pursuit of short-term goals. Be micro-ambitious. If you focus too far in front of you, you won't see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye," Minchin said.
His next advice was not to look for happiness: "Happiness is like an orgasm. If you think about it too much, it goes away."
Minchin also said that life is based on luck; warned the graduates not to hurry and fear about their future; recommended exercise, encouraged them to think critically and inspired them to be a teacher because they are the 'most admirable and important people in the world.'
He also said that people should define themselves based on what they love and 'be pro-stuff, not just anti-stuff,' and 'respect people with less power.'
Minchin will soon begin work on a musical film for DreamWorks Animation.
The sublimely talented, witty and unabashedly offensive celebrity was born in Perth and educated at Christ Church Grammar School. He graduated from UWA in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre. In 1997 he enrolled at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University and graduated in 1998 with an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music.
Minchin's extraordinary international musical career began with performances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Edinborough Fringe.
