University anniversaries

The University of Sydney's Centenary celebrations, 1950 - 1952

The University of Sydney Centenary celebrations commenced in 1950 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
• the arrival of the first students and the presentation of the first lectures in October 1852
• the inauguration of the University on 11 October 1852

The main University of Sydney Centenary functions were held in August 1952 and marked the culmination of the celebrations. Their emphasis was on pageantry and scholarship.

1950 / 1951 / 1952 / Centenary Medal / University Appeal / Information

1950

7 June 1950

A Public Meeting was held in the Town Hall to launch the University's Centenary celebrations and Centenary Appeal for Funds ... details.

6 October 1950

A Commemoration Ceremony – at which the Prime Minister of Australia, The Right Honourable Robert G Menzies, delivered the Commemoration Oration – marked the centenary of the passage through the New South Wales legislature of the Act of Incorporation on 1 October 1850 ... details and gallery.

10 October 1950

The Senate of the University of Sydney attended Parliament House, where a Resolution of Congratulation was adopted by each House to mark the centenary of the University ... details.

The Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn and members of Senate receiving the resoluton of congratulation in the Legislative Council. The Hon R R Downing MLC is proposing the motion, photo, courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald, in The Gazette, October 1950.

1951

5 February 1951

3.45pm: A Special Senate meeting celebrated the first Senate meeting held on 3 February 1851 ... details and gallery.

10 October 1951

3.00pm: A Service of Commemoration of Benefactors was held ... details.

Late 1951

Preliminary announcements in Latin of the University's intention to hold the main functions of its Centenary Celebrations in August 1952, were sent to over 150 Universities in the British Commonwealth, the United States of America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Japan and South East Asia.

1952

26 August 1952

5.00pm: A Reception was given at Government House, Sydney, by the Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott.

8.30pm: Dr Ian Clunies Ross gave an Oration on the topic: "The responsibility of Science and the University in the Modern World".

27 August 1952

11.00am: A Ceremony of Presentation of Addresses by Delegates to the Centenary Celebrations was held - some seventy delegates attended.

Many Universities not represented sent congratulatory messages and these messages together with the ones presented in person by delegates were displayed in the Fisher Library (now MacLaurin hall) during the Celebrations ... gallery.

12.45pm: A University Union Luncheon was given for Delegates.

3.30pm: A Reception was given by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman E C O'Dea, at the Town Hall, Sydney.

7.00pm: A University Dinner was held in the Refectory of the University Union.

28 August 1952

2.30pm: The Chief Justice of New South Wales, the Hon K W Street, gave the Centenary Oration ... details and gallery.

4.00pm: A Garden Party was held in the Quadrangle for staff, graduates and friends of the University.

7.00pm: A Senate Dinner for Delegates was held in the Refectory of the University Union ... details and gallery.

7.00pm: A Women's Union Dinner was held for wives of Fellows of Senate and wives of delegates in Manning House.

29 August 1952

11.00am: A Ceremony of Conferring of Honorary degrees was held in the Great Hall ... details and gallery.

30 August 1952

10.00am - 5.00pm: The University Open Day was held.

31 August 1952

11.00am: Church Services were held in the City which members, students and friends of the University were invited to attend.

3.00pm: A Special University Service was held in Pitt Street Congregational Church.

Centenary Medal

A Centenary Medal was struck and worn with distinguishing ribbons by members of the Senate, the delegates of other Universities and members of the University teaching staff.

University Appeal

At 13 March 1952, the total raised by the appeal for funds amounted to £239,844.8.0, including an anonymous donation of £100,000 for a new Chemistry School.

Information

• University of Sydney Archives
• The Gazette
• "The University of Sydney Centenary Celebrations August 26 - August 31, 1952" compiled by the Office of Information and Public Relations. Allan Gamble, Information and Public Relations Officer

LB