Sesquicentenary 1999-2002
The University of Sydney's Sesquicentenary celebrations, 1999-2002
The University of Sydney's Sesquicentenary celebrations lasted from 1999 to 2002 and included a series of major Sesquicentenary projects supporting research and teaching and a number of events that allowed its many communities to join in the celebrations.
The main events being commemorated were:
- 6 September 1849: the speech made in Parliament by W C Wentworth advocating a university for Sydney
- 1 October 1850: the passage through the NSW legislature of the Act of Incorporation
- 3 February 1851: the first Senate meeting
- October 1852: the arrival of the first students and the presentation of the first lectures
- 11 October 1852: the inauguration of the University
- Commemorating the Sesquicentenary
- Other Sesquicentenary projects, events and activities
- Sesquicentenary photo gallery
Commemorating the Sesquicentenary of the University of Sydney
6 September 1999:
7.00pm: The University's Sesquicentenary celebrations began with a Sesquicentenary Dinner at NSW Parliament House which commemorated the speech made in Parliament on 6 September 1849 by William Charles Wentworth, advocating a university for Sydney.
1 October 2000:
Greetings were sent to some 136 Universities around the world, marking the 150th anniversary of the passing of the Bill through the Colonial Parliament that established the University of Sydney.
3 February 2001:
6.30pm: A Sesquicentenary Senate Dinner held in the Great Hall celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of Senate. Photo below, University of Sydney Development Office:
11-20 October 2002:
A week of "Students and teaching", involving re-enactments and celebrations, marked the Sesquicentenary of the first students and lectures, as follows:
Friday, 11 October 2002:
4.00pm: A Sesquicentenary Ceremony was held in the Great Hall to mark the Sesquicentenary of the inauguration of the University of Sydney. Photo below, University of Sydney Development Office:
Saturday, 12 October 2002:
6.00pm: A Sesquicentenary Colloquium Dinner was held in MacLaurin Hall for students and staff, alumni and friends. Photo below, courtesy of ZOOM Productions:
Sunday, 13 October 2002:
12 noon - 5 pm: The University's Sesquicentenary Celebration Day was held on Sunday 13 October 2002. Photo below, courtesy of ZOOM Productions:
Other Sesquicentenary projects, events and activities
The Vice-Chancellor's Sesquicentenary Distinguished Lecture Series, 2000-2002. Photo of Sir Gus Nossal below, courtesy of ZOOM Productions:
The Sesquicentenary New Academic Staff Appointments Scheme, 2001-2003
Sesquicentenary Research Funding to support postgraduate research students under the Postgraduate Research Support scheme, 2001-2011
"Stones of learning: David Moore" - a publication in association with the David Moore Photographic Exhibition was produced, 4 May 2000.
Sesquicentenary collectors’ pins - in conjunction with the Olympic Games, were made available in September 2000. Photo below, University of Sydney Gazette:
"What makes a Champion?” - A forum conducted by the Centre for the Mind on 3 and 4 September 2000, with panel discussions including corporate leaders, Olympic gold medallists, acclaimed artists, Nobel Prize winners and many other extraordinary high-achieving individuals. The program was facilitated by Phillip Adams, Mazine McKew, George Negus, Peter Thompson and Margaret Throsby.
The Sydney Sardana Event 2000, a gift to The City of Sydney, was held at the University of Sydney on 10 September 2000 in recognition of the University’s 150th anniversary. The event was attended Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch.
University of Sydney Year 2000 Olympians Reception - the Vice-Chancellor hosted a reception for all the University's Olympic athletes who competed at the Sydney Olympics, 3 November 2000.
Handel's Messiah - presented by the Sydney University Graduate Choir on 9 December 2000 - celebrating the Choir's 50th anniversary.
Eastern Avenue Auditorium Complex - Official Opening by Guest of Honour, His Excellency Sir William Deane, Governor-General of Australia, 7 February 2000. Photo below, University of Sydney Annual Report 2001:
"Leading Lights Series - Celebrating the Faculty of Arts" - Guest Speakers included John Bell, Bill Peach, Kate Grenville, Jill Hickson, Hugh Mackay, Hsu Ming Teo and Anne Summers, 16 May 2001.
"Australia's First, The University of Sydney - Celebrating 150 years" - Book launch by Dr Anne Summers, 23 May 2001. Photo below, University of Sydney Development Office:
The Opening of the 8th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan - in the presence of HRH Prince El Hassain bin Talai, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 9 July 2001.
A Great Debate:"The next 150 Years will Outshine the last 150" - Justice Michael Kirby, Adam Spencer, Meredith Burgmann, and the University's student debating champions, 29 August 2001.
Sydney University Madrigal Society - staged a student opera, Dido and Aeneas at the Great Hall, Sydney Grammar and Bathurst, 5-6 October 2001.
"Leading Lights Series" - Celebrating the Faculty of Science, 31 October 2001.
"The State and The People - Australian Federation and Nation Making 1870-1901" by John Manning Ward, edited by Deryck M Schreuder and Brian Fletcher - Book launch on 14 November 2001.
Graduate Gathering in Singapore - the University of Sydney and the Singapore Institute of Management, 29 November 2001.
The Darlington Centre - Official Opening by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, Governor of NSW, 16 April 2002. Photo below, courtesy of ZOOM Productions:
Pharmacy Alumni cricket match and dinner - NSW v Victoria, 27 April 2002.
The history of the University’s property, Arthursleigh, at Marulan, by Ms Chrissy Fletcher - Book launch on 28 April 2002.
Sydney University Symphony Orchestra Concert - The Program included Beethoven Symphony No 1 and the Nielson Flute Concerto, with soloist Melanie Walters and conductor Colin Piper, in the Great Hall, 1 May 2002.
Performance in the Great Hall of St John Passion by J S Bach - marking the 50th Anniversary of the University of Sydney Graduate Chair, 5 May 2002.
Flesh Winnow - performance art works created by artist Barbara Campbell, in the Macleay Museum, 6-18 May 2002.
"Liberal Education and Useful Knowledge: a brief history of the University of Sydney 1850- 2000" by Sir Bruce Williams - Book launch by the Vice- Chancellor in The Great Hall, 28 May 2002.
Renaissance Players 28th Runnymeade Pop Festival, 29-30 May 2002
"The Writing on the Wall", a book explaining and illustrating Latin and other inscriptions on the buildings of the University of Sydney and its Colleges, compiled by the late Kevin Lee and Ann Rogerson - Book launch by the Chancellor in the Nicholson Museum, 30 May 2002.
15th Todd Memorial Lecture given by Professor Kathleen Coleman - "Bonds of Danger: Communal Life in the Gladiatorial Barracks of Ancient Rome", 15 August 2002.
In Bradfield's Footsteps - Mr Ray Wedgewood, General Manager Technical Services, Roads and Traffic Authority, gave a talk on the achievement of Dr Bradfield on 28 September 2002 in conjunction with the staging of the annual "paddle pop bridge" competititon held amongst Australian university civil engineering schools.
Orange Campus alumni reunion - 5-7 October 2002.
"Schools of Thought – a celebration of the Sesquicentenary’", a photographic portrait exhibition of teachers and student, past and present, by Lisa Giles - Opened by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC Governor of NSW, 10 October 2002.
New entrance to the University from Victoria Park - the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Chancellor joined the Mayor of South Sydney Council in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the new heritage stairs linking Victoria Park and the University, 13 October 2002. Photo below, courtesy of Zoom Productions:
Celebration of the Sesquicentenary of the Library and the accession of the 5 millionth volume - Early English Books Online - in MacLaurin Hall (which was home to the Fisher Library from 1909 to 1963), 17 October 2002 - Sesquicentenary edition of the University of Sydney Library Newsletter
Sesquicentenary Annual Graduate Dinner - in the MacLaurin Hall, hosted by the Standing Committee of Convocation and in the presence of Her Excellency the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir, 18 October 2002.
Alumni event in Boston - hosted by the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor featuring a presentation by Dr Bryan Gaensler and acknowledgement of the University of Sydney Rowing team at the Head of the Charles regatta, 20 October 2002.
150 Years of Science at the University of Sydney - A day-long seminar organised by the Australian Sciences Club. Speakers included Roy Macleod, Jim McCaughan, Claire Hooker, Matti Keentok and John Mack, 26 October 2002.
AUAC Conference - Annual meeting of the Australian University Alumni Council at the Eastern Avenue Complex and Cumberland Campus, 14-16 November 2002. The welcome reception was held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Armstrong Memorial Lecture, 5 December 2002.
University of Sydney Archives journal, Record - 50th anniversary edition
The 150th anniversary of the Law School, 5 November 2005. Photo below, courtesy Faculty of Law:
150th anniversary celebrations of the Faculty of Medicine, 13 - 16 June 2006.
Sesquicentenary photo gallery
- Sesquicentenary Senate dinner, 3 February 2001
- Vice-Chancellor's Sesquicentenary Distinguished Lecture by Sir Gustav Nossal, 30 October 2001
- Vice-Chancellor's Sesquicentenary Distinguished Lecture by Fred Hilmer AO, 27 February 2002
- Sesquicentenary Ceremony, 11 October 2002
- Sesquicentenary Celebration Day, 13 October 2002
