Fun and festivity were on the minds of an estimated 15,000 people yesterday, as they converged on The University of Queesnland’s St Lucia campus to celebrate the University’s 100th birthday.
Open free to the public, the day’s events and activities included live music in the iconic Great Court headlined by The Riptides, a Writers’ Hub, science and innovation talks, information sessions on global change, and campus tours.
The day ended with a dusk spectacle: a light show set against the front facade entrance of the Forgan Smith building and accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra.
UQ’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, thanked everyone who attended, worked or volunteered to make the day a success.
“This was about saying “thank you” to the community for supporting UQ over the past 100 years,” he said.
“It was great to see the mix of students, staff, alumni and interested members of the community taking advantage of what the day had to offer.”
Professor Greenfield is looking forward to strong community ties throughout the University’s second century.
“I encourage and invite members of the public to come to campus more often, and explore the sporting and cultural facilities that are open to them, year-round, such as cafes, museums and the gym,” he said.
The University was formally created on April 16, 1910, with the publication of the names of the first senators in the Government Gazette.
Among UQ's 180,000 graduates are a Nobel Laureate, an Academy Award winner, Queensland Premiers and Governors, and the current Governor-General.
The University first operated from Gardens Point in the City, and then established its Herston campus in the 1930s, the same decade that construction began at St Lucia in Brisbane's inner west.
There are now four campuses: Ipswich, Gatton, Herston and St Lucia.
Other celebrations throughout the year include the Centenary Oration Series, with high-profile speakers from around the world sharing their thoughts and ideas with members of the public, and an Alumni Reunion weekend on July 2 – 4.
The next speaker in the Centenary Oration series is Jack Manning Bancroft, who will speak this Wednesday, April 21 about Indigenous education.
More information can be found at www.uq.edu.au/centenary
Media: Shannon Price, (07) 3346 7660
