Sesquicentenary 1999-2002

Photo gallery: Vice-Chancellor's Sesquicentenary Distinguished Lecture by Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE

The University of Sydney Sesquicentenary celebrations commenced in 1999 and commemorated various important phases in the foundation of the University. These included: the speech made in Parliament on 6 September 1849 by William Charles Wentworth advocating a university for Sydney; the passage through the NSW legislature of the Act of Incorporation on 1 October 1850; the first Senate meeting on 3 February 1851; and the arrival of the first students and the presentation of the first lectures in October 1852 and the inauguration of the University on 11 October 1852.

Sir Gustav Nossal, former Australian of the Year, gave an address on "Global Health Challenges in a Time of Turmoil" in the Great Hall, Quadrangle, on 30 October 2001 as part of the Vice-Chancellor's Sesquicentenary Distinguished Lecture Series.

Photographs are courtesy of ZOOM Productions.

Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE

Sir Gustav Nossal's research is in fundamental immunology, and his accomplishments are world-renowned. He has shaped the scientific affairs of Australia for three decades, and continues to do so. As a researcher, and as Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research for over 31 years, he has helped build the foundations of modern immunology. Sir Gustav has worked energetically to improve global health through his long-term involvement with the World Health Organisation, most recently as Chairman of the Global Program for Vaccines and Immunization.

Sir Gustav studied Medicine at the University of Sydney, and after a residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, took his PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. He was knighted in 1977, made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989 and appointed Australian of the Year in 2000.

He is also involved in charitable work as Chairman of the Felton Bequests Committee; as a Principal of Foursight Associates Pty Ltd; and as Deputy Chairman of the Global Foundation. He was involved in Aboriginal Affairs as Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1998 to 2000.

Photo gallery

• Above: Dinner in the Great Hall. View enlargement

• Above: Dinner in the Great Hall. View enlargement

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal.

• Above: Dinner in the Great Hall. View enlargement

• Above: Introduction by Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown.

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal. View enlargement

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal. View enlargement

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal. View enlargement

• Above: Vote of thanks to Sir Gustav Nossal from Mr David Hoare. View enlargement

• Above: Questions from the audience. View enlargement

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal and Professor Gavin Brown. View enlargement

• Above: Sir Gustav Nossal, Mr David Hoare and Professor Gavin Brown. View enlargement