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Jubilee celebrations 1902

Senate conversazione

In the evening of 2 October 1902 a Conversazione was held at the University.

It was attended by an immense crowd of visitors, including the delegates, representatives of the army and navy, and of the political, social, artistic, professional, and commercial world of Sydney, and very many members of Convocation from every quarter of the State.

Guests were received by the Chancellor in the Great Hall. Academic dress naturally predominated among the costumes and the degree-hoods of various faculties and institutions gave variety to a particularly brilliant scene. Among those present, in addition to the visiting delegates, were His Excellency the Visitor of the University (Sir Harry Rawson) G.C.M.G., C.B. (who on 29 January 1902 became the first naval officer since Captain Bligh appointed Governor of New South Wales), His Excellency Sir George Clarke (Governor of Victoria), Lady Clarke and Miss Clarke, His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief (Sir Lewis Beaumont) and Lady Beaumont, the Hon. Sir Normand MacLaurin (Chancellor) and Lady MacLaurin, Brigadier-General Finn, the Heads of the affiliated Colleges, and a large number of graduates.

Sir Henry Normand MacLaurin

At about half-past 8 o'clock His Excellency Sir Harry Rawson, at the invitation of Professor Anderson Stuart, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, unveiled a portrait (above) of the Chancellor. This picture, executed by the English artist, Mr. Ronald Grey, during a recent visit to Australia, is an excellent likeness. It shows Sir Normand MacLaurin in profile at three-quarter length, seated in his robes of office.

The portrait, courtesy of the University Art Collection, is reproduced with the permission of the University of Sydney.

While performing the ceremony, the Governor explained that the portrait had been presented to the University by subscribers, to effect the preservation, in that Hall of Fame, of the memory of a great benefactor to the University of Sydney - a man who had given time, and thought, and labour, steadily and continuously, to the higher education of the State.

The Chancellor responded suitably.

Ranged upon tables along the wall of the Great Hall were a number of valuable exhibits. The attention of the guests was particularly attracted by the imposing array of congratulatory addresses from other Universities, upon many of which artistic taste and skill had been lavished to good purpose.

The Hall was connected with the Macleay Museum by a canopied and carpeted passage, blazing with electric light, and decorated with the flags of all nations. In the Museum, which was similarly adorned, supper was provided. The surroundings were not those usual on such occasions, but the spirits of the guests seemed to be in no wise damped by the presence of natural history specimens - by the sinister silence of bottled snakes, or the grim pleasantry of human skulls.

After supper the visitors made a tour of the scientific laboratories. Experiments were conducted for the gratification of the guests. The paths between the different departments were lined with festoons of flaglets and electric globes.

In the Great Hall an excellent programme of music was provided by the Vice-Regal Orchestra, conducted by Mr. L. de Groen, and the organ, played by Mr. A. R. Mote:

  • Grand Overture, "Dicht and Bauer" (Von Suppe), V.R. Orchestra and organ;
  • Organ Solo, Introduction Act III. "Lohengrin" ('Wagner) ;
  • Grand Selection, "The Geisha" (Jones);
  • Intermezzo, "La Czarin' (Ganne) ;
  • Song (Cornet Solo), "The Lost Chord" (Sullivan), ace. by V.R. Orchestra and organ ;
  • Organ Solo, "Commemoration March'" Op. 37 (A. R. Mote), composed in honour of the Jubilee, and dedicated by kind permission to the Chancellor, Sir Normand MacLaurin ;
  • Grand Selection, "The Runaway Girl" (Caryll);
  • Grand March, "University Jubilee" (Mayer), orchestra and organ, composed in honour of the Jubilee of the University, and dedicated by kind permission to the Chancellor, Sir Normand MacLaurin ;
  • Organ Solo, "Concert Rondo" (Hollins);
  • Gavotte, "Melanie" (Lincke);
  • Festival March, "Tannhauser" (Wagner), orchestra and organ;
  • Valse de Concert, "Madame Sans Gene" (Lane) ;
  • Organ Solo, "Mazurka," Op. 10, No. 1 (Elgar) ;
  • Grand March, "The Bride Elect" (Sousa).

On the Science Square the New South Wales Police Band, under the conduct of Mr. William George Bentley, played a number of selections.

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