One hundred years of teaching and research will be celebrated at the University of Queensland Gatton College from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20.
Gatton College centenary celebrations include horse racing, a country rock concert, fashion parade, rugby union and other sporting events, and a steam train journey from Brisbane to the College's campus at Gatton, about 80km west of Brisbane.
Gatton College director Professor Craig Pearson encouraged everyone to participate in the festivities.
'It will be four days of entertainment from start to finish as well as an opportunity for families and prospective students to discover the teaching and research activities at the College's annual Open Day, which coincides with the centenary,' he said.
'The centenary celebrates the past and at the same time embraces the next 100 years of teaching and research. While joining together to celebrate our achievements and history, it is important that we collectively plan for an exciting future.'
Gatton College launched its centenary celebrations on August 22 last year, with the re-opening of the Foundation Building, the State's oldest tertiary building.
The large Queenslander-style building will be open to the public over the four days following the recent refurbishment of its foyer and reinstatement of its original hallway. The Gatton College Past Students' Association funded the project.
The College opened on July 9, 1897 as the Queensland Agricultural College, with 23 male students. A history of the campus, One Hundred Years of Science with Practice, written by staff last year, is available from the University Bookshop.
Plenty of food will also be available at each of the following events, for which bookings must be made by Monday, June 16.
Thursday, 17 July - The party commences at noon with the Centenary Cup race meeting at the Lockyer Race Club. A $20 admission price includes a chicken and champagne lunch. A casual social evening with meals available from the College dining hall starts at 6pm.
Friday, July 18 - A rugby union carnival organised by Gatton College Rugby Union Club kicks off the festivities for the day. A buffet barbecue lunch will be available, and from 5pm wine, cheese and finger food ($10) will be available on the Central Walkway of the campus.
At 7pm at the Gatton showgrounds, Professor Craig Pearson will open the annual Gatton Show, which this year has a College centenary theme. The College will provide transport to and from the showgrounds.
Saturday, July 19 - An interdenominational Thanksgiving Service on the Central Walkway will be held at 10am, followed by reunions in Morrison Hall (Old Shelton), historical displays and heritage tours of the campus. Reunions will continue on Sunday from 11am.
A Chancellor's Garden Party at 3pm in the grounds of the historic homestead on campus includes a fashion parade, showing changes in College dress styles over the past 100 years.
A Halls Cocktail Party ($10) in Morrison Hall starts at 5pm, followed at 6.30pm by the choice of a three-course dinner/dance ($45) in the main marquee on the Central Walkway or a country rock concert ($20). The concert features Lee Kernaghan with support bands, and has been organised by the Gatton College Students' Association.
At 11pm, a fireworks display over Lake Galletly will complete the evening.
Sunday, 20 July - Journey back in time on a steam train, leaving Roma Street for Lawes at 7.52am. A cavalcade of vehicles representing 100 years of transport will meet the train at 10.30am and move in procession to the College ovals where Queensland Governor Mrs Leneen Ford will unveil a commemorative centenary plaque on the sandstone mural on the Central Walkway. The train departs Lawes for Brisbane at 3.30pm.
Those already on campus at 8.30am can don academic gowns for a chicken and champagne academic breakfast ($10). College gowns will be available for purchase at $20.
The celebrations coincide with the College's annual Open Day, with staff and students providing courses advice and research information at display stands on the Central Walkway and in the various College buildings.
The public, staff and students are also invited to participate in the traditional 'Ag Day Sports,' featuring races and events such as hay loading and sheaf tossing.
Accommodation on campus during the centenary weekend includes single beds in the halls of residence ($27.50 B&B per night); tents (B&B, $12.50 per night) and caravan sites ($5 per night). Bookings and deposits are essential.
Centenary memorabilia is also available for purchase.
For bookings or to purchase memorabilia, contact Liz Quinn, Gatton College (telephone 07 5460 1127).
For more information, contact Professor Pearson (teleophone 07 5460 201).
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