A new book has captured some of the many stories and long history of larrikinism at The University of Queensland (UQ) Gatton as a permanent record of the campus’ rich heritage.
Entitled The Stories So Far… the book provides a fascinating and often amusing account of the Gatton campus’ 107-year history and was officially released at the Past Students’ Association annual “Back to College Weekend” on Saturday night.
Written for students and staff from all eras, history buffs and visitors alike, the book accompanies a signed heritage tour of the Gatton campus launched in August by UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay.
Author Bruce Thompson, an Honours student in Protected Area Management at UQ Gatton, said the new book was “not quite a history book and not quite a guide book.”
“The Gatton campus is steeped in some wonderful heritage. Every one of its old buildings is a storehouse of memories,” Mr Thompson said.
“The book is designed to unlock those storehouses and share the stories that have made Gatton such a special place for so many people be they students, staff, the Americans who served here during World War II or just people who have passed through the place at some time.”
While there have been plenty of tough times too, larrikinism has been a constant theme throughout the Gatton campus’ history thanks largely to the imagination and resourcefulness of its students through the years.
One of the most famous stories relates to the campus’ landmark avenue of Canary Palms.
During the 1960’s mischievous students placed a road-closed sign on the Warrego Highway diverting a steady stream of semi-trailers and other traffic onto the former road, straight through the middle of the campus and past the Principal’s bedroom window all night.
Another relates to the mysterious footprints which the campus awoke one morning in 1955 to find running up one side of the water tower. An enraged Principal ordered they come down by the next morning and true to his instruction, the same footprints then appeared running down the other side.
“By relating stories like these to the history of the campus’ development and operation over time, we’ve tried to bring Gatton’s heritage to life in a way that many more people can appreciate and enjoy,” Mr Thompson said.
“The book has been a pleasure to write and I would like to thank all those who have shared their memories and experiences with me and now with the readers.”
Copies of the book The Stories So Far… can be obtained by contacting Chris Ablett on (07) 5460 1279 or email cablett@uqg.uq.edu.au.
For more information, contact Brad Henderson, Marketing Coordinator, Faculty of NRAVS, on (07) 5460 1229 or 0409.265.587
