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Long weekend of golden celebrations at UNE

September 27, 2004

woman in window at bool.jpgA tour of a rare art collection, wine-tasting and a Spring Ball are just some of the features of a 50th Anniversary Reunion Weekend being held at the University of New England this long weekend.
The events, which include a store-room tour of the New England Regional Art Museum, have been organised to celebrate UNE’s Golden Jubilee and guests will receive commemorative bags from the occasion.
Earlier this year, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ingrid Moses, launched UNE’s Golden Jubilee by hosting a cocktail party which featured vintage cars from the 1950s.

The same vehicles will be rolled out again at a picnic lunch, being held on the lawns of historic Booloominbah on October 3 at 1pm.
At least 100 alumni, staff and students are expected to attend the events, which start with an Official Welcome by the Vice-Chancellor on Saturday morning at the Wright Centre.
Professor Michael Macklin, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, has organised for members of his staff to contribute to an Arts from the Arts exhibition.
Said Professor Macklin: “Don’t think only paintings and sculpture. Contributions include paintings, photography, bonsai, sculpture, craft and pottery. It will be a celebration of 50 years of dedicated service to the Australian regional and rural communities.”
The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
The weekend’s activities will culminate on Saturday night with a ball, during which a number of Golden Indulgence packages – things money cannot buy – will be auctioned to the highest bidder.
Here, guests could win anything from a day’s shooting with Olympic Gold medallist Suzy Balogh (a UNE alumnus), afternoon tea with Armidale Mayor Brian Chetwynd or a tour of State Parliament with Northern Tablelands MP Richard Torbay.
Dozens of local dignitaries and alumni have contributed their time and effort to helping make the weekend a success. Universities across Australia have also sent congratulatory messages and these will be read out on Saturday morning at the Official Welcome.
Reflecting on UNE’s 50 years as an autonomous institution, Professor Moses said: “It is quite salutary to think that there were only 242 students enrolled at the New England University College in 1953.
“There were no professors and very few facilities. This year we are celebrating not only our golden jubilee but the rolling out of the greatest broadband capacity of any regional university in Australia and the benefits that will confer on our students, staff and the broader community.
“The foresight of those who fought so hard for autonomy, virtually from the time the College was established in 1938, has been well and truly justified.”
The year-long celebrations will conclude in December when a published history of UNE
by historian Dr Matthew Jordan is launched.

For more information phone Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at September 27, 2004 11:40 AM