Courting the Greats from The University of Queensland on Vimeo.

Founder and Executive Director of the Hear and Say program, Dr Dimity Dornan AM, has been named the 2011 UQ Alumnus of the Year.

The 2010 Queenslander of the Year was honoured at the annual Courting the Greats gala dinner on September 24 at the UQ Centre, alongside the winners of the International Alumnus of the Year and the Young Alumnus of the Year awards.

Courting the Greats celebrates the achievements of UQ’s alumni community and pays tribute to those who have achieved distinction in their fields and recognition among their peers.

This year’s event also recognised five Graduates of the Year from the class of 2011 – each of whom received perfect grades throughout their degrees.

“The diversity of this year’s applicants was testament to the success of our graduates both here and overseas in a wide range of disciplines,” UQ Pro Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) Clare Pullar said.

Guests were entertained by ballroom dancers, the Emmanuel College Pipe Band, the School of Music’s Tropical Dance Orchestra, and also took part in a private viewing at the UQ Art Museum.

Dr Dornan, a speech pathologist, founded Hear and Say in 1992.

The not-for-profit organisation assists children with hearing impairments so they can learn to listen and speak through advanced hearing technology. She is also the Founder of Hear and Say Research Innovation and Hear and Say Worldwide.

Dr Yuichi Murakami and Edwin Khew were named the joint winners of the International Alumnus of the Year award.

The co-founder, CEO, and Managing Director of IUT Global Pte Ltd, Mr Khew is recognised as a leader in advancing clean energy and renewable energy sources in South East Asia.

Dr Murakami is a distinguished academic from Fukushima University who has dedicated his research career to understanding cultural differences between Australia and Japan. He and his students also generously raised funds for the Vice-Chancellor’s Emergency Student Welfare Fund following the January floods.

Also recognised at the event was Young Alumnus of the Year Dr Kala Mulqueeny, who has made a global impact as a lawyer, academic and teacher.

By Jan King and Allison Rock

Book fair student volunteers Ai Cin Chng and Bich Bui

The popular UQ Alumni Book Fair has raised almost $100,000 including $15,000 from the signature rare book auction.

Approximately 150,000 books, magazines, CDs and sheets of music were available at the April event, which was held at the UQ Centre.

President of the Alumni Friends of the University of Queensland Inc. Patricia Jones said more than 40 volunteers pitched in to ensure the fair was a huge success.

“On the first day we had three cash registers and three EFTPOS machines running all day,” Ms Jones said.

Held every two years, the event aims to raise funds for student scholarships, University projects, and to bring alumni and members of the general public to the St Lucia campus.

The fair offers everything from art to zoology titles, with volunteers collecting and sorting titles for months in advance.

Bringing in the highest bid at the rare book auction this year was an atlas of engravings, which fetched an impressive $3000.

Ms Jones said donations were already being accepted for the 2013 fair, with spare titles welcome at the Alumni Friends office at 50 Walcott Street, St Lucia campus.

By Allison Rock

Postgraduate students Alan Han, Rebecca Von Hoff and Erin Giyliani

The University of Queensland has launched a unique training program for research higher degree students to enhance their skills, connections and employability.

Developed in response to the changing needs of the research workforce and launched in September, the UQ Career Advantage program has been designed to accelerate career development and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Dean of the UQ Graduate School Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the exercise was driven by a need to reflect the many pathways students follow after completing their PhDs.

“We have been noticing an increasing number of our graduates choosing careers in industry, government or research and development roles instead of traditional roles within academia,” Professor Skrbis said.

“This new model not only enhances our students’ contribution to the University’s research outcomes, but will also exploit UQ’s reputation and strengths.”

The new model aligns itself with the goals of the Australian Government’s Research Workforce Strategy for 2020 and Beyond.

PhD candidates commencing in 2012 will be able to select from three training modules: higher education leadership, global collaboration, and research translation and commercialisation.

The associated activities are designed to cater to students from all disciplines and will stimulate greater interaction between early career researchers, improve career development, and produce more globally aware and mobile graduates.

UQ will work closely with industry to develop the training modules and ensure the program provides graduates with a competitive edge.

Sherri Hsu, a PhD candidate from the School of Chemical Engineering, whose research is industry-focused, said the new program would have a significant impact in equipping students with additional skills.

“I definitely see that students who take part in the UQ Career Advantage program will have the opportunity to add value to their degree,” Ms Hsu said.

“After graduating, I think that it will be these additional skills that will make candidates more desirable when they step out into the employment market.”

By Carly Dengate

Artist Bryan Besly and his portrait of current Head of the School of Civil Engineering Professor Peter Dux

A close-knit group of engineering alumni continue to pay tribute to their alma mater in a unique way.

The group known as Civil 55 celebrated their 55-year reunion in February with the presentation of three portraits of past and present civil engineering professors to the University.

During the event, Civil 55 unveiled paintings of the current Head of School Professor Peter Dux and predecessors Professor Colin Apelt and Professor Raymond Volker.

The three works add to the existing collection already produced by the group, who have
remained close friends since undertaking their engineering degrees and have met each year to celebrate their graduation.

At their 50th anniversary celebrations in 2006, Civil 55 presented UQ with a portrait of the school’s first Head of Department, Professor John H. Lavery.

Two years later they produced a portrait of Professor Colin O’Connor, before presenting a likeness of Professor Gordon McKay in 2009.

Civil 55 member Philip Breene said all of the educators honoured with portraits were greatly respected by Civil 55 and were acknowledged for contributing to the success of their students’ careers.

The artist behind the portraits is none other than Civil 55 member Bryan Besly, who has worked abroad as an engineer and is also an exhibiting member of Portrait Artists Australia.

Since childhood, Mr Besly has maintained an interest in art and has been able to focus on his passion since retiring in 1994.

Alumni are welcome to view the portraits at the School of Civil Engineering on Level 3 of the Hawken Building at St Lucia.

By Madelene Flanagan

A Gatton graduation photo from 1971

The annual Back to College Weekend will take place from December 2–4, 2011 with the UQ Gatton Past Students Association calling graduates from the years 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001.

Held at the Gatton campus, the event reunites alumni from the past 50 years and is traditionally held on the first weekend in December.

Last year’s event was successful in reuniting past student and Director of the Gatton-Vocational Education Centre Mark Pace with his former high school agricultural science teacher, Carl Saffingna.

“Carl graduated from Gatton in the 60s and he taught me ag science at Cleveland High School,” Mr Pace said.

“He told me you should go to Gatton and here we were all these years later attending the same reunion.

“The speeches at the dinner were also excellent, with a representative from each year group reflecting on their memories from their time here.”

The weekend provides an opportunity to see the new facilities on campus and take a step back in time by visiting the Past Students Museum.

Past and current UQ staff are also invited to attend the staff reunion lunch on the Saturday.

By Erin Pearl

Dr Ron Thomson with second-year medical students Damien Hewitt and Gemma Benecke at the new Intergrated Pathology Learning Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

University of Queensland medical alumnus Dr Ron Thomson has decided to say thank you for his education in a big way – with a $10 million bequest.

Dr Thomson, who graduated in 1956, is a former surgeon and now practising medico-legal consultant, who spent most of his working life in Sydney.

During 2008–2010, he visited his alma mater to decide where his substantial gift should be directed.

“Without my medical degree and all of what followed as a result, I wouldn’t have been in a position to give something back to the University in recognition of what it gave me, which was the opportunity to obtain that degree,” he said.

An investment portfolio, estimated at $10 million, has been set aside in Dr Thomson’s will.

The gift will be invested in a range of UQ projects which will benefit from its annual interest of approximately $400,000 to $500,000.

Dr Thomson’s bequest will also honour his mother, Pauline, and will be split between research at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research and teaching in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, in the School of Medicine.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield compared the gift to that of the Mayne family – key figures in the establishment of UQ.

“Dr Thomson and his late mother, Pauline, are modern-day Maynes – as in Dr James and Mary Emelia Mayne, whose generosity in the 1920s and 30s continues giving to UQ, particularly in medical teaching and research.

“He calls himself an ‘ordinary’ person but I disagree. He is undoubtedly extraordinary and the University will still be celebrating his life in 2110 – our bicentenary,” Professor Greenfield said.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Professor Nick Fisk said the bequest highlighted the importance of links with alumni.

“Dr Thomson’s bequest reflects the strength of the lifelong bond many graduates have with their medical school. We are profoundly grateful to Ron for his gift, which emphasises the pivotal importance of alumni to Australia’s leading universities competing with the world’s best,” Professor Fisk said.

Dr Thomson has a particular interest in pathology, describing it as “the rock on which everything is subsequently built in the pyramid of medicine”.

The income from his bequest will support a new Integrated Pathology Learning Centre – an exciting, interactive facility for health students.

But the energetic 78-year-old, who remarried last year, has no intention of making his generous bequest anytime soon.

He visited UQ in March to view the pathology facility and meet with staff and students.

The $1.5 million Integrated Pathology Learning Centre, which opened in April, brings together the extensive James Vincent Duhig Pathology Museum, including more than 2500 specimens, artefacts from the Marks-Hirschfield Medical History Collection, the Nursing Museum and the latest electronic teaching resources.

UQ Professor of Pathology Sunil Lakhani said the size and presentation of the collection in a modern facility was a unique development for Australia and comparable with leading facilities of its kind around the world.

“The collection has grown over many years, probably as long as UQ has had a medical program, which is more than 70 years. It has played a critical role in the education of UQ medical students, staff and allied health workers during this time,” Professor Lakhani said.

“This is a unique and unprecedented venture as most medical schools in the world are shutting their facilities, but at UQ there is a strong commitment to pathology.”

The centre integrates historical, clinical, radiological and pathological processes.

It takes students on a journey from past to present and from cells to patients, so they can gain a complete understanding of disease.

The development of the facility was supported by financial donations of more than $135,000 – many from medical school alumni.

The centre was officially opened by Dr Thomson and coincided with the opening of the Health Sciences Building, in which the pathology centre is housed.

The Health Sciences Building is located in the heart of the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital campus and is an education facility for health students from a range of disciplines.

Formerly named the Clinical Sciences Building, it has undergone a $27.8 million refurbishment and now includes state-of-the-art teaching rooms, mock hospital wards and clinical bedside coaching rooms.

Other features of the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre include interactive stations to test students on clinical-radiological-pathological correlations, stations for video feeds and audiovisual presentations on topics such as global aspects of immunisation, the history of medicine, and malnutrition and disease.

By Marlene McKendry

Karl Davy receives his award from Deputy Chancellor Mary Mahoney

While committed to performing well academically, UQ’s 2010 Graduate of the Year is also passionate about sharing his knowledge with others.

Mr Davy, who graduated with first-class honours and a perfect grade point average of seven, was a part-time tutor and assisted students with a disability to complete their laboratory work.

President of the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. Dalma Jacobs said Mr Davy completed a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, a subject for which he showed talent and enthusiasm.

“Karl considers that tutoring was one of the most rewarding aspects of his honours year as it gave him the opportunity to put some of his knowledge to work in helping newer students learn about a subject for which he has great passion,” Ms Jacobs said.

The annual Graduate of the Year Award, established in 1999, is bestowed on the student achieving the highest GPA in their undergraduate studies.

Mr Davy was also the recipient of the 2006 UnIChe Summer Research Scholarship, the 2008 TGH Jones Award for Academic Excellence in Chemistry, the Australian Laboratory Services Prize and the RACI Trevor Appleton Laboratory Prize in Analytical Chemistry.

By Penny Robinson

Anna Bligh speaks after receiving her honorary Doctor of Laws

The career achievements of two prominent UQ alumni were celebrated during graduation ceremonies in July.

Honorary doctorates were presented to the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and former High Court judge, Justice Ian Callinan AC, QC.

Both received Doctors of Laws honoris causa.

Dr Bligh’s award was in recognition of her distinguished career and service to the state, and Dr Callinan’s degree acknowledged his significant contributions in the fields of law and the arts.

Dr Bligh was born in Warwick, and attended schools including Miami State High School on the Gold Coast.

She was awarded her UQ Bachelor of Arts in 1981, and was elected as the member for South Brisbane in 1995. She became a Minister in 1998, and Deputy Premier in 2005, before being sworn in as Premier in September 2007.

As Premier, she works alongside Queensland universities to cultivate partnerships with international research centres, businesses and philanthropists.

Her government continues to support universities and other institutions to attract and foster talented researchers.

Dr Callinan has made substantial contributions to the Australian justice system during his legal career, and as a playwright, author, art enthusiast and patron, he has also added to Australia’s cultural development.

He is an Adjunct Professor within UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law, and patron of the Friends of UQ’s Fryer Library.

By Fiona Cameron

From left: Juliet O'Brien, Lisbeth Hopkins, Violet Kuskie, Betty Crouchley and Rae Bridge attend the donor thank you event

The sandstone buildings of the Great Court provided a fitting backdrop for the 1910 Society and Chancellor’s Society thank you event held in the Alumni Court on October 20.

The evening was an opportunity to thank donors for their generous support to UQ and to demonstrate how their gifts have directly assisted students and researchers alike.

Donors who have given $100,000 or more are recognised with lifetime membership of The 1910 Society. The Chancellor’s Society recognises donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) Ms Clare Pullar welcomed guests to the occasion which she said “marked the celebration of philanthropy to The University of Queensland”.

Chancellor John Story asked guests not to be modest when talking about giving to the University and to share their experiences to encourage generosity in others.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield told attendees philanthropy was a pillar of UQ’s first century and that such contributions would play an important part of its future.

Bringing this message into focus was UQ-Link Scholarship recipient Miss Zahra Ghaznawi, who spoke about the difficulties of growing up in Afghanistan, living as a refugee and then completing the final year of secondary school in Australia.

For Miss Ghaznawi, the scholarship represented “the very latest in a long chain of miracles.”

“Education has given me back my life, my future and my hope,” she said.

Guests were also able to meet with other scholarship recipients to see firsthand the impact of their contributions to the University.

Powerlink Chair and the first woman to graduate from electrical engineering at UQ, Else Shepherd AM, is the University’s Alumnus of the Year for 2009.

2009 Alumnus of the Year Else Shepherd (left) with fellow award winners Thi Ngoc Diep Nguyen and Dr Catherine Schuetze

Ms Shepherd is part of the first trio of women to win UQ alumni of the year awards in the same year – the others being sanitation expert Thi Ngoc Diep Nguyen (International Alumnus of the Year), and animal welfare advocate, Dr Catherine Schuetze (Young Alumnus of the Year).

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield and Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. Senior Vice-President Patricia Jones hosted the 2009 Courting the Greats lunch to recognise the winners at Customs House on November 26.

Professor Greenfield said UQ was honoured by a wealth of exceptional graduates, who reflected positively on to the University and inspired the students who followed them.

Ms Shepherd was motivated to pursue a career in engineering by the 1957 launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik.

After attending Brisbane Girls Grammar School, she began studying electrical engineering at UQ from 1962, graduating in 1965.

She married and went to live in Mackay for the next 18 years, working at the Sugar Research Institute as an operation research engineer for 10 years and raising two children.

By the end of 1983, she moved back to Brisbane and in 1986, formed Mosaic Information Technology, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of telecommunications products, particularly custom-designed modems.

In 2002, she co-developed a new company, Microwave & Materials Designs, specialising in microwave filters for mobile phones.

In 1994, Ms Shepherd was appointed to her current position as Chair of Powerlink – a new company set up by the Queensland Government to oversee the state’s electricity transmission system following the break-up of the Queensland Electricity Commission (QEC).

Powerlink owns, develops, operates and maintains Queensland’s $3 billion, 1700km high-voltage electricity transmission network.

For her contributions to engineering, education and the electricity generating industry, Ms Shepherd was appointed a Member in the General Division of the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. President Dalma Jacobs said the Alumni Friends were honoured Ms Shepherd had accepted the award of Alumnus of the Year for 2009.

The International Alumnus of the Year Award was introduced in 2002 to recognise the outstanding personal and professional achievements of the University’s international alumni community.

The criteria of the award considers contributions to the community and career achievements since graduating.

Ms Nguyen, who graduated with a Master of Social Planning and Development (Professional) from UQ in 2002 after completing her undergraduate studies in Vietnam, previously worked as a consultant to the Belgian Technical Cooperation on a project contributing to better sanitation for people living in the Tan Hoa–Lo Gom Canal area in Ho Chi Minh City.

She studied at UQ under a full scholarship of The Atlantic Philanthropies Coursework Masters Scholarship Program funded by The Atlantic Foundation and administered by The University of Queensland and Vietnam National University.

Nominees for UQ’s Young Alumnus of the Year must be under the age of 40 and are judged on their post-graduation career achievements and future plans, innovation and creativity, involvement within their communities and how their career achievements have benefited others.

Dr Schuetze, who graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology from UQ in 1993 and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1995, has since devoted her life and career to the cause of animal welfare.

She founded and is the current President of VetCharityOrg (now known as Vets Beyond Borders), and lives in India.

She spends her time developing strategic partnerships with governments, animal welfare organisations and NGOs and has helped establish several animal welfare programs in India with a focus on national dog health, population management and rabies control.

Dr Schuetze has worked with wildlife and domestic animals in veterinary practice in different parts of the world (Africa, United Kingdom, India, Australia) over the past 14 years, in both employed and voluntary capacities.

By Shirley Glaister

Guests deep in conversation at the annual 50+ Luncheon

In June last year, more than 100 alumni who were graduates of the year 1959 or earlier attended the annual 50+ Luncheon at Customs House.

Hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield, the reunion event was an opportunity for UQ alumni to rekindle old friendships and to hear about new developments at the University.

Guest speakers included Professor Frank Monsour RFD AM and Dr Noel Stephenson AM – both graduates from 1959. 50+ Luncheon event manager Kylie McIntyre said the day was a special occasion for all UQ alumni involved, many of whom had not met since their campus days.

This year’s 50+ Luncheon will be held on April 16 in support of UQ’s official Centenary birthday.

Students were encouraged to stress less on the eve of their exams during an inaugural event hosted by the UQ Alumni team in October.

Students praticipate in the Stress Relief event

The “Stress Relief” event took place at the St Lucia campus and incorporated displays from the UQ Union, UQ Sport, Student Services and the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The three-hour program kicked off with live music, lucky draw prizes and giveaways. Students then took part in a range of activities ranging from relaxing in a stress-free lounge to attending stress-relief workshops.

Other options included health assessments and pilates and stretching demonstrations.

Business management and arts student Anja Thomas said the event allowed her to pinpoint stress symptoms and know how to alleviate them in the future.

“I enjoyed sitting in the stress-free lounge, exchanging thoughts with other students and listening to the lovely live music,” she said.

Ms Thomas said she looked forward to attending similar events in the future.

The Stress Relief project was an initiative of the UQ Student Alumni Program, which also launched the Backpack to Briefcase Career Breakfast Series for UQ students in 2009.

Former UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards presents Governor-General Dr Quentin Bryce with the 2008 Alumnus of the Year award

The University of Queensland recently presented a distinguished graduate and Australia’s first female Governor-General with a special award.

Australia’s first female Governor-General, Dr Quentin Bryce AC, was presented with the University’s Alumnus of the Year award for 2008 in February.

Dr Bryce, who was Governor of Queensland from 2003 until 2008, was announced as UQ’s Alumnus of the Year late last year, along with UQ’s International Alumnus of the Year, Cambodian labour camp survivor Path Heang, and Young Alumnus of the Year, music therapist Alissa Phillips.

Dr Bryce received her award at a special presentation ceremony at Customs House, which was attended by UQ’s former Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards AC, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield AO, as well as President of the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. Feona Walker and the group’s Senior Vice-President Dalma Jacobs.

Dr Bryce, who was the official Visitor to the University, is a University of Queensland graduate, former UQ academic and an honorary Doctor of Laws recipient.
She was sworn in as Australia’s 25th Governor-General at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on September 5.

Professor Greenfield said UQ was privileged to have alumni of Dr Bryce’s calibre.

“A university’s reputation is determined largely by the character of its graduates, and Quentin Bryce is a great example to students, staff and other UQ graduates,” he said.

“She has put her UQ education to excellent use by improving conditions for people who have not shared in her advantages.”

Ms Walker said the Alumni Friends were honoured Dr Bryce had accepted the award of Alumnus of the Year for 2008.

Dr Bryce graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from UQ, where she later spent 14 years teaching Introduction to Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law and Legal Aspects of Social Work.

Some of her appointments have included founding Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the National Childcare Accreditation Council and Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Call for nominations

The University of Queensland seeks your help in locating young and international alumni whose achievements qualify them for these prestigious annual awards.

These awards honour alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their community by demonstrating exceptional leadership in their field or stimulating their community through creativity and innovation.

If you know a UQ alumnus who deserves recognition for their exceptional achievements, submit a nomination. Nominations open July 6 and close September 4, 2009.

For further details, visit www.alumni.uq.edu.au/alumni-awards

By Shirley Glaister

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield recently announced all UQ students would be considered alumni from the day they enrol, giving them access to a raft of new privileges.

The Student Alumni Program booth at Orientation Week 2009

In response to this, the UQ Student Alumni Program was launched in February as part of the wider UQ Alumni Program, which is coordinated by the University’s Advancement Office.

Advancement Office Deputy Director, Alumni and Community Relations, Lea Sublett said students had responded enthusiastically to the change. The first student alumni event of the year, the UQ Backpack to Briefcase Career Breakfast seminar, proved a success.

“We want to engage UQ students with this initiative and show them the ways we can enhance their studies and careers,” Ms Sublett said.

All UQ alumni are invited to be part of the program, which includes career assistance.

To find out more about the program and how it can benefit you, contact the UQ Alumni team on (07) 3346 3900, or register your interest here.

Alumni events calendar
•    Backpack to Briefcase Career Breakfast seminar: “Enterprise and the Young Entrepreneur – Making the Dream a Reality”, August 14.
•    UQ delegation visit to China and Hong Kong, September 3-13.
•    Vice-Chancellor Melbourne alumni cocktail reception, October 6.
•    Courting the Greats luncheon (Alumnus of the Year Awards), Customs House, November 26.

For further details, including venues and times, click here.

Alumni will have the chance to relive memories of their time at University during the UQ Alumni Centenary Reunion Weekend. Please note the date for the reunion weekend has changed to July 3-4, 2010.

The reunion weekend will be an opportunity for alumni to reengage with their favourite cultural, social, college, sporting or academic groups.

Plans for the centenary celebrations are well under way, and details on various areas of interest will be posted on www.uq.edu.au/centenary as information becomes available.

If you have old photos or stories of UQ, are interested in being involved as a volunteer or have ideas about how to celebrate UQ’s 100th anniversary, let us know.

We are also collecting memories of UQ. Do you have a favourite UQ moment? What did UQ mean to you? Let us know in 100 words or less.

Email the UQ Alumni team with your suggestions and memories at uqalumni@uq.edu.au

Past students and staff will be heading “Back to College” to take part in the UQ Gatton annual reunion on December 5-6.

The event, organised by the UQ Gatton Past Students Association, this year focuses on graduates from the years 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989 and 1999.

The weekend is an important event in the calendars of many Gatton graduates, particularly Dr Kerry Dowsett, winner of the 2008 Gatton Gold Medal.

The 1959 A Grade cricket team

“It is always a special occasion to meet old mates at these reunions and realise that while the years have passed very quickly, the attitude and characteristics of the old mates is still very much present and unchanged,” Dr Dowsett said.

“The reunions have been very important to me over the years as they are great social occasions that provide the opportunity to tell lies, catch up with the news and have a great time.”

Guests enjoy a weekend of activities, with last year’s highlight being the formal dinner on the Saturday night, which 240 people attended.

The weekend includes bus and walking tours of the campus, with the UQ Gatton historical collection also on display.

Donations of memorabilia are always welcome.

For more information, contact Graham McClymont on (07) 3378 0201, gattonpaststudents@uq.edu.au or visit www.uq.edu.au/gatton/paststudents

By Erin Pearl