University anniversaries
Centenary 1950-1952
Commemoration ceremony, 6 October 1950
The University of Sydney Centenary celebrations commenced in 1950 and commemorated various important phases in the foundation of the University.
On 6 October 1950, the University of Sydney began its Centenary celebrations with a Ceremony to commemorate the passage of the Act Incorporating the University which received the Assent of the Governor on 1 October 1850.
Sydney Morning Herald photos, copies held by the University of Sydney Archives. Click on photos for enlargement.
Gallery
Distinguished arrivals
Arrival of the Rt Hon R G Menzies, KC LLM MHR, Prime Minister of Australia.
The Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn (centre) and the Deputy Chancellor the Hon Mr Justice E D Roper (on left) greeting the Premier of New South Wales, James McGirr.
The Deputy Chancellor the Hon Mr Justice E D Roper and the Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn greeting the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Ernest Charles O'Dea. The car at the front is for the Premier of New South Wales, James McGirr.
The Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn and the Deputy Chancellor the Hon Mr Justice E D Roper greeting the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Ernest Charles O'Dea.
The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Ernest Charles O'Dea, and the Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn.
Guard of honour for the Governor of NSW
His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott inspects the Guard of Honour of the Sydney University Regiment.
Academic procession to the Great Hall
Academic procession.
Academic procession, with the Right Hon R G Menzies and James McGirr in the foreground.
From left: The Esquire Bedell Lieut.-General Sir Iven Giffard Mackay carrying the Mace before the Chancellor and the Governor of New South Wales at the rear of the academic procession.
The main section of the academic procession included, from left to right, Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn & the Governor of NSW Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott at the rear, Esquire Bedell Lieut.-General Sir Iven MacKay, Prime Minister of the Rt Hon R G Menzies and the Premier of NSW the Hon James McGirr, Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Steven Roberts and Deputy Chancellor the Hon Mr Justice E D Roper, His Eminence Cardinal Gilroy and His Grace Archbishop Mowll.
Academic procession
The Rt Hon R G Menzies and the Premier of NSW the Hon James McGirr in the Academic procession preceded by the Esquire Bedell Lieut.-General Sir Iven MacKay carrying the Mace.
Academic procession, with the Chancellor and the Governor of NSW Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott at the rear.
The Ceremony
The Chancellor welcoming guests to the ceremony ... read his address.
A congratulatory address given by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Ernest Charles O'Dea ... read the address.
The Commemoration Oration delivered by the Rt Hon R G Menzies, KC LLM MHR, Prime Minister of Australia ... read the Commemoration Oration.
Listening to the Oration being delivered by the Rt Hon R G Menzies.
After the ceremony
The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney Alderman Ernest Charles O'Dea with the Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Stephen Wallace.
LB