University anniversaries

Jubilee celebrations 1902

The Undergraduates' Association's garden party, 2 October 1902

On the afternoon of Thursday 2 October 1902 the Undergraduates' Association held a garden party in the grounds of the University, attended by around 1,000 guests.

The Undergraduates' garden party, photo, University of Sydney Archives.

The Undergraduates' garden party, photo G3_224_MF374_0261, University of Sydney Archives.

The Undergraduates' garden party, image, 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 8 October 1902.

The Undergraduates' garden party, photo, The Sydney Mail, 8 October 1902, Google News Archive.

The Undergraduates' garden party, photo, The Sydney Mail, 8 October 1902, Google News Archive.

Although the weather looked threatening, it did not prevent holders of invitation cards from attending in large numbers, nor did it interfere with the arrangements.

The visitors began to arrive shortly before 3 o'clock, and as they entered the porch in the centre of the main building, they were received by Mr S A Smith, the President of the Undergraduates' Association. They then filed through onto the lawn at the rear, which quickly presented a very gay and festive appearance.

Refreshments were served in a couple of marquees which had been erected.

All the branches of the university, including the chemical, medical, physics, geological, and engineering departments, were open for inspection.

The band of the RAA Band played popular music during the afternoon.

Soon a brisk wind drove up some black, threatening clouds, which threatened the dresses of voile and muslin. Then, when a few drops of rain began to fall, the guests hastily took refuge in marquees and vestibules, and the Great Hall. However, there was only a slight shower, and the garden party was not spolt.

The State Governor, Sir Harry Rawson, Lady Rawson and Miss Rawson, attended by Captain Clark, ADC, arrived at about 4 pm, and were welcomed by the executive of the Undergraduates' Association. The company included the Chancellor Sir Normand MacLaurin and Lady MacLaurin, the Vice-Chancellor Mr Justice A Simpson, Judge Backhouse, Judge Docker, Professors MacCallum, Anderson Stuart, Warren, Anderson, David and Liversidge, Dr Wilkinson, Mr Barff (Registrar of the University) and the visiting delegates.