University anniversaries
The University of Sydney's Jubilee Celebrations, 1902
The University celebrated the 50th anniversary of its opening to the public between 30 September and 3 October 1902.
The University's inauguration ceremony had been held in the Great Hall of the Sydney College building (now the Sydney Grammar School) on 11 September 1852, and lectures for teh first 24 students had begun the following day.
The Golden Jubilee program was organised by Professors Mungo MacCallum, Thomas Anderson Stuart and Tannatt Edgeworth David, and its focal point was the Reception of Delegates and Presentation of Addresses attended by representatives of universities in Australia, Europe and America.
On this webpage:
Click on links for details and more photos / Click on photos for enlargement.
Jubilee program
| Monday 29 September 1902: | The Union Book of 1902" was published |
| 2.30pm: Performance by the University Dramatic Society in the Palace Theatre in Pitt Street, under the auspices of the University Union | |
| During the evening, Senator Sir Josiah Symon KC delivered an address entitled "Universities, some characteristics and use", also under the auspices of the University Union | |
| Tuesday 30 September 1902: | 3.00pm: The official reception and presentation of addresses in the Great Hall |
| In the evening a dinner for the visitors to the University was given by members of Convocation at Shadier's Rooms | |
| Wednesday 1 October 1902: | In the morning. Professor Mungo MacCallum gave an address on "University influence" in the Great Hall |
| Shortly after 2 pm, there was a harbour excursion on the SS Kuring-gai for 400 guests | |
| In the evening a Conversazione was held in the Great Hall | |
| Thursday 2 October 1902: | Excursions were organised to the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and National Park |
| Professor Anderson Stuart delivered an address on "The History of the Medical School" in the Harveian Theatre, then one of six large teaching spaces on the upper floor of the Medical School | |
| 3.00pm: The Undergraduates garden party was held in the Quadrangle by the Undergraduates' Association | |
| In the evening, more than 800 guests attended the annual Sydney University Sports Union Ball at the Sydney Town Hall | |
| Friday 3 October 1902: | Professor Edgeworth David delivered a lecture entitled "University Science Teaching" before a large audience in the Great Hall |
| Following the lecture, the visitors, the Chancellor and Fellows of the Senate, and Professors were entertained at luncheon by Dr P Sydney Jones, at the Australia Hotel | |
| In the afternoon, a garden party was held at the Observatory by Mr and Mrs H C Russell | |
| In the evening, the Undergraduates' Association gave a Smoke Concert in the Great Hall and a number of guests were being entertained by Miss Louisa Macdonald, the Principal, at the Women's College | |
| Saturday 4 October 1902: | In the afternoon, the celebrations were brought to a close with a regatta on Lane Cove River |
Jubilee gallery
photo, The Sydney Gazette, 1 October 1902, Google News Archive
"The Union Book of 1902" was published on Monday 29 September 1902, photo of the book's cover, courtesy Cornell University Library.
The Reception of Delegates and Presentation of Addresses was held in the Great Hall at 3pm on Tuesday 30 September 1902, photo, The Sydney Mail, 8 October 1902, Google News Archive.
On Wednesday 1 October 1902 there was a harbour excursion on the SS Kuring-gai for 400 guests, photo, Ferries of Sydney website.
A Conversazione took place in the Great Hall on the evening of Wednesday 1 October 1902, photo, The Sydney Mail, 8 October 1902, Google News Archive.
The Undergraduates' garden party was held on Thursday 2 October 1902, photo, University of Sydney Archives.
The Sydney University Sports Union Ball took place in the Town Hall on Thursday 2 October 1902, image, 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 8 October 1902.
Arriving at the Observatory for a garden party on Friday 3 October 1902, photo, The Sydney Mail, 8 October 1902, Google News Archive.
Celebrations were brought to a close with a regatta on Lane Cove River on Saturday 4 October 1902, image, 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 8 October 1902.