Bring the kids, bring the bikes and even the dogs to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge Fun Day at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus on Sunday, February 25.
Thousands of Brisbane residents are expected to bus, bike and walk to UQ to celebrate the Fun Day from 10am to 2pm.
Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC said the University was pleased to host the community so people could discover the many attractions of the St Lucia campus.
"The opening of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge makes it easier to access UQ and enjoy our beautiful grounds and facilities," Professor Hay said.
"The Bridge brings the University closer to the surrounding suburbs, opening the campus and its facilities to people living on Brisbane's south and east, while observing the University's commitment to the environment."
The Fun Day coincides with this month's launch of new bus services to the campus across the Bridge to the UQ Lakes station from the City, Eight Miles Plain busway and Carindale interchange.
Key themes of the day will include public transport and active transport; environmental sustainability; healthy living; and education, science and research.
Professor Hay said the St Lucia campus had a "wonderful sense of community", boasting a diverse array of cafes and eateries, first-class sporting services and libraries, the University art gallery and a number of museums and collections which would open to the public on the Bridge Fun Day.
The Fun Day will showcase the University's facilities with free activities and giveaways, food stalls, entertainment and displays for all of the family - even canine members.
Festivities will stretch from the Brisbane River to UQ's Great Court, with residents able to kick up their heels with salsa lessons, listen to jazz by the lakes, and enjoy entertainment from roving performers.
Free sporting activities during the day include junior soccer, tennis and cricket clinics - and for those more daring - outdoor rock climbing, cycling and zorbing (an adventure sport where participants spin around in giant plastic balls).
To ensure there's something for the entire family, people are encouraged to bring their pooches along to the Pizza Cafe for lunch.
The free Bridge Fun Day will be run by the University in partnership with Brisbane City Council and is sponsored by Quest Community Newspapers.
The $55.5 million Eleanor Schonell Bridge links the University's St Lucia campus with Dutton Park. Already a distinctive feature of Brisbane's skyline, the 400m cable-stay bridge has "green" technology integrated into its design, including a canopy of solar panels to power its lights and signs, and ponds at each end to collect rainwater run-off for recycling.
For transport details on getting to the UQ campus, visit www.translink.com.au/uq
Media: For more information please visit www.uq.edu.au/about/bridge-fun-day or contact event organiser Laura Middleton (07 3365 3374, laura.middleton@uq.edu.au) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
