Students at the University of Sydney
Student Commem Days
Commemoration Day festivities by students began in 1888, when students gave an impromptu concert to the audience at the annual Commemoration of Benefactors and Conferring of Degrees ceremony in the Great Hall. By 1903, the students' procession through Sydney streets was firmly established, and evolved greatly in size and content. The annual processions were noted for their witty and political floats, and festivities were often exuberant, although for a time in the 1920s and 1930s the processions were prohibited from the main city streets.
On this webpage:
- Milestones
- Gallery – In the 1890s / early 1900s / 1910s / 1920s / 1930s / 1940s / 1950s / 1960s
Click on some images for enlargement.
– View more information about Student Festivals.
Milestones
| COMMEMORATION DAY | |
| 1859: | The first annual Commemoration of Benefactors and Conferring of Degrees ceremony was held. |
| 1880s: | By the 1880s Commemoration Day, as it became known, had become a notable academic and social event in Sydney. |
| At the same time, there was the growing problem of unruly student behaviour, especially during the long speeches. This was partly an expression of student protest that it had become a 'dreary ceremony' which failed to celebrate the chief point of the occasion - the success of the students. | |
| In 1888 students gave an impromptu concert to the audience, singing specially composed topical songs. This practice continued until 1911. | |
| The following year, soon as the official party were seated, the students rushed to their places at the rear of the dais carrying an effigy clothed in a mortar board, clay pipe and gown, and a banner on which was painted a back view of the professors. | |
| 1890s: | In 1890 the students assembled at the tennis court and, carrying some 10 or 12 banners representing sports, faculties and colleges, marched into the Great Hall. |
| In 1897 the students organised a procession to the Town Hall where the ceremony had been moved – the first such procession in Sydney. Students again held a procession in the city in 1899. | |
| 1900: | When Senate decided to confer degrees at a special meeting in the Great Hall to which the undergraduates were not invited, the students organised a city procession and their own Commemoration of Benefactors ceremony at the Town Hall. |
| 1903: | The students, having promised Senate to be well behaved, were allowed to attend the ceremony in the Town Hall following their procession which by now had become a firmly established event. |
| 1911: | The culmination of poor student behaviour during the ceremony over several years led to the Senate prohibiting the city procession. |
| THE STUDENTS' FESTIVAL | |
| 1912: | A compromise between the University authorities and the undergraduates was reached, with the Commemoration Day ceremony now being held on a different day from the Students' Festival and Procession. The Commemoration Day ceremony returned to the Great Hall. |
| The annual processions, which continued on and off until 1975, were noted for their witty and political floats, and festivities were often exuberant. | |
| 1920s: | The annual Students' Festival became a week long event, including a sports day, music in the Great Hall, the procession and a program of student songs and speeches, open lectures and the presentation of sporting blues. Later a theatre party on the eve of the procession became popular. |
| In 1922 the students' procession began to be censored. | |
| In 1925 Senate decided to separate the ceremony of Commemoration of Benefactors from the ceremony for Conferring of Degrees. The following year, the ceremony of Conferring of Degrees, now also referred to as a graduation ceremony, was held in April and the Commemoration of Benefactors ceremony in October. | |
| While 'Commemoration' now had nothing to do with graduation or the Students' Festival, the usage of the terms 'Commemoration Day' and 'Commem' to describe the festival persisted. | |
| 1930s: | For a time in the 1920s and 1930s the processions were prohibited from the main city streets. |
| The annual Students' Festival now also included a Commemoration Revue comprising segments presented by the colleges as well as a women students' ballet, and women were now allowed to participate in the procession. | |
| 1975: | The final students' procession took place. |
Gallery
In the 1890s
1895
Rowdy student behaviour at the conferring of degrees ceremony in 1895, photo, The Gazette, July 1973.
1899
The second Commem procession (the first was held in 1897) of up to 500 students set off from the GPO in Martin Place on the morning of Saturday 22 April 1899, photo, The Sydney Mail, 29 April 1899, Google News Archive. Arriving at the University, a stampede was made for the Great Hall for the commemoration of benefactors which was accompanied by the students' songs, and then the conferring of degrees, through which the students sang, whistled and trumpeted.
Medical students in the procession, photo 842_07, from C R B Blackburn's personal archives, University of Sydney Archives
Medical students, photo 842_08, from C R B Blackburn's personal archives, University of Sydney Archives
Fancy dress parade, image from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 29 April 1899, NLA Newspapers.
A group in fancy dress, image from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 29 April 1899, NLA Newspapers.
A Sydney lancer and two famous politicians, image from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 29 April 1899, NLA Newspapers.
A mohawk and a Chinaman, image from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 29 April 1899, NLA Newspapers.
In the early 1900s
1900
A brass band in the Commem procession on Saturday 28 April 1900, photo 842_06, from C R B Blackburn's personal archives, University of Sydney Archives, which preceeded a festival in the Town Hall organised by the Undergraduates' Association. The annual official commemoration of benefactors ceremony had been suspended by Senate owing to the behaviour of students in previous years.
1903
The undergraduates procession on Saturday 2 May 1903 in George Street, photo, The Sydney Mail, 6 May 1903, Google News Archive.
Arrival at the Town Hall, photo, The Sydney Mail, 6 May 1903, Google News Archive.
1904
The students' procession on Saturday 30 April 1904 passing the General Post Office (GPO) in George Street, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
At the Town Hall , photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
The dilapidated state parliament, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
Medical students, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
Fourth year mechanical and electrical engineers, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
The Alien Restriction Act, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1904, Google News Archive.
1905
The annual conferring of degrees ceremony and commemoration procession took place on 6 May 1905. Pictured above are students preparing for the Dental display before the procession, photo, The Sydney Mail, 10 May 1905, Google News Archive.
Setting off in the rain, photos, The Sydney Mail, 10 May 1905, Google News Archive.
General Booth, photo, The Sydney Mail, 10 May 1905, Google News Archive.
A "Hospital Saturday girl" on horseback, photo from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 10 May 1905, NLA Newspapers.
Andy and John's Jericho hen, photo, The Sydney Mail, 10 May 1905, Google News Archive.
The Medical Students' Death Dance float in the procession, photo from the 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 10 May 1905, NLA Newspapers.
1906
Above: Three scenes from the 1906 Commem Day, photos, Australian Town and Country Journal, 18 April 1906, National Library of Australia.
Commem Day procession on Broadway near the City Road intersection c1906, photo, the NSW Postcard Collectors Society Inc.
The 1906 Commem Day procession at the Town Hall, photo, Australian Town and Country Journal, 18 April 1906, National Library of Australia.
1907
Above: Two groups of students on Commem Day on 27 April 1907, photo, Australian Town and Country Journal, 1 May 1907, National Library of Australia.
Engineering students 'Shackleton's expedition' float in 1907, photo G3_224_1884, University of Sydney Archives.
Defending Defiance, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
The Chicago 'Sossidge' exhibit, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
A bevy of masquerades, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
Prohibted immigrants, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
More horseplay, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
A demure group, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
A charming trio, photo, The Sydney Mail, 1 May 1907, Google News Archive.
1908
On Commem Day on 2 May 1908, the second year medical students hit at the railways, photo, The Sydney Mail, 6 May 1908, Google News Archive.
Death and the doctors, photo, The Sydney Mail, 6 May 1908, Google News Archive.
The Engineering School's representation of the Antarctic expedition, photo, The Sydney Mail, 6 May 1908, Google News Archive.
Two men students dressed for Commem Day, with one dressed as a bride, photo G3_224_1480, University of Sydney Archives.
1909
A skit on the women's hats craze in the Commem Day procession on 1 May 1909, photo, The Sydney Mail, 5 May 1909, Google News Archive.
An aerial dreadnought, photo, The Sydney Mail, 5 May 1909, Google News Archive.
Mr Fisher's army, photo, The Sydney Mail, 5 May 1909, Google News Archive.
The Broken Hill Band, photo, The Sydney Mail, 5 May 1909, Google News Archive.
The aeroplane, photo, The Sydney Mail, 5 May 1909, Google News Archive.
In the 1910s
1910
Undergraduates on an elephant from a circus in the Commem procession on Saturday 30 April 1910, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1910, Google News Archive.
Students on a camel from a circus, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1910, Google News Archive.
'Sectional views of the undergraduate's skull before and during Commem, illustration, The Sydney Mail, 4 May 1910, Google News Archive.
1912
Part of the students' procession on Saturday 25 May 1912 showing the traffic congestion, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 1912, National Library of Australia.
1913
Agriculture's 1913 Commem Day float, photo G3_224_0651, University of Sydney Archives.
1914
The students' procession on 23 May 1914 was the last procession for five years, owing to World War I. Pictured above is a display illustrating the Governor-General's Sydney home - a bush humpy - in the bough of a gum tree, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 May 1914, National Library of Australia.
A reference to the increasing price of bread in Sydney, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1914, Google News Archive.
An Engineering School exhibit: Our Disorganised Railways, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1914, Google News Archive.
A skit on politics and politicians, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1914, Google News Archive.
In the 1920s
A Commem Day procession down Bridge Street in the early 1920s, photo G3/224/0724, University of Sydney Archives.
1920
The Commem Day procession through the city on Saturday 19 May 1920 was watched by many thousands of people, photo G3_224_0843, University of Sydney Archives. As usual there was much that was humourous and ingenious, but also as usual 'a few of the tableaux were in very questionable taste, and some of the placards, intended to be funny, were inexcusably vulgar' (The Sydney Mail, 14 May 1920).
The Prince of Wales, who was on a visit to Australia, was represented in a variety of forms, photo, The Sydney Mail, 14 May 1920, Google News Archive.
The Law School tableau, photo G3_224_2683, University of Sydney Archives. Complaints were made about the throwing of sand and flour, lassooing of bystanders and slinging about of putrid fish and dead cats by students during the procession.
A 'Hospitals overcrowded' tableau, photo G3_224_1586, University of Sydney Archives. Allegations were made about damage by students to the Town Hall organ, a piano and a number of chairs during Commem Day, and students broke into a concert in the hall. Apologies were made to the Lord Mayor and the Governor, and three students were suspended by the Professorial Board.
1921
The Chancellor the Hon Sir William Portus Cullen KCMG (seated, centre) watching Commem Day activities on 27 May 1921, photo from 'Hermes'.
'The street procession, which illustrated in more or less humorous fashion some of the topics of the day, and was free of the objectionable features of last year, was witnessed by an immense crowd. The leading tableau alludes to the time taken in the contruction of the cruiser Adelaide at Cockatoo Island.' The next was a reference to the new North Shore rail carriages, photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
'That the students have not forgotten their alleged wrecking of the Sydney Town Hall is shown here', photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
The Guyra 'Ghost' and all the actors in the 'Poltergeist' drama were included in the procession, photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
'The students did not forget to illustrate their own delinquencies', photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
continued
The social side of Commem Day took place in the grounds of the University instead of, as usual in the past, at the Town Hall. Five thousand visitors and undergraduates assembled in the Quadrangle to hear the commemoration speeches, which were punctuated with cheers, comment and laughter, photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
The Governor-General opening the carvival in the University grounds. From left: Lady Forster, Lord Forster, Mr W Freeborn, president of the Undergraduates' Association. Behind them are Lady Cullen and Miss A Ferguson, and on the steps, Captain Traill DSO and Mr H E Barff, University Registrar, photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1921, Google News Archive.
1922
The program for the 1922 Commemoration ceremony and Students' festival, University of Sydney Archives.
The Undergraduates' Association representatives made up the Commem Committee, which organised the Commemoration festivities on 18 and 19 May 1922, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1922.
A Commem Day float c1922 or 1923, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: bcp_02428.
Part of the procession on 19 May 1922, which moved from the Domain, through Macquarie, Bridge and George Streets and up Parramatta Road to the University. Unlike previous years, the procession had been heavily censored and there was nothing indecent in it, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
A skit on the Commonwealth Steamer Service, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
A caveman, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
Studies in makeup at Commem Day in 1922, photos from 'The Capricornian', 2 June 1922, National Library of Australia.
After the procession through the city streets, the students and their friends assembled in the Quadrangle where entertainment was provided including songs and choruses and mock trials, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
Following the judging of the tableaux and speeches, the Governor Sir Walter Davidson was arrested and charged with ‘having violated the Australian principle of one man one job, as laid down in the Constitution and the rules of golf’. He was sentenced to serve ‘seven days hard’ but was released under the provisions of the ‘Fish and Oyster Leases Act’, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
Leading the singing, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
The songs contained many witty allusions to uni life and public questions, photos, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1922, Google News Archive.
1923
The annual Students' Festival included a procession through the city streets on 18 May 1923, the last city procession for 13 years. The Ku Klux Klan display had the sign 'All murders strictly cash', photo, The Sydney Mail, 23 May 1923, Google News Archive.
The medical students, like students in other faculties, made good use of the Tutenkhamen boom, photo, The Sydney Mail, 23 May 1923, Google News Archive.
Another Tutankhamen effort, by the Architecture students. The Governor selected the Veterinary and Architectural displays as the best, photo, The Sydney Mail, 23 May 1923, Google News Archive.
This group, representing Princess Mary (only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary) and her husband Lord Lascalles and their recently-christened son George, caused a lot of amusement, photo, The Sydney Mail, 23 May 1923, Google News Archive.
'Three sweet damsels', photo, The Capricornian, 9 June 1923, National Library of Australia.
After addresses by the President of the Undergraduates Association, the Governor and the Chancellor, and a mock trial of the Governor, the undergraduates lustily shouted their songs, photo, The Sydney Mail, 23 May 1923, Google News Archive.
1924
Instead of the usual procession, the undergraduates held a gala fete in the Quadrangle, with sideshows and stalls, on Friday 30 May 1924 to raise funds for the carillon war memorial at the University, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 May 1924, National Library of Australia.
The Governor-General, Lord Forster addressing the gathering, which was broadcast over the grounds by means of the Western Electric public speaking apparatus, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
The scene at the opening by Lady Forster, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
The students singing from the University song book, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
The students' mock trial of Lord Forster, photo, The Sydney Law School Reports newsletter, October 2005.
Around the flower stall, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
Lord and Lady Forster at the fruit stall, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
Science students selling flowers, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
Buying a ticket in a raffle, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
Raffling a radiator, photo, The Sydney Mail, 4 June 1924, Google News Archive.
1926
For the first time in its history, the annual students' procession, which took place on Friday 28 May 1926, was held within the University grounds. 'The students lost interest in the event and it was distinctly less original, as well as less hilarious, than usual' (The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926). Pictured above is the Faculty of Agriculture's winning display - a burlesque on Amundsen's trip to the North Pole, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
The workers paradise as seen by the students. Utopia has been reached and, having nothing further to fight for, the workers have resolved to spend their time in the doldrums, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
The 'blew-bird' gang - a skit on the night patrol, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
The Veterinary Operating Theatre, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
The display by the Faculty of Architecture, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
Demonstration in the Quadrangle after the procession, with the President of the University Union, Mr Saxby, addressing the undergraduates, photo, The Sydney Mail, 2 June 1926, Google News Archive.
1927
The Faculty of Agriculture's winning display in the students' procession on Friday 20 May 1927, photo G3_224_1613, University of Sydney Archives. The procession was allowed to travel along a part of St Paul's Road, Newtown and City Road, entering the University by the Medical School gates. It was one of the shortest on record.
'Dad, Mum and little Willie,' photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1927, Google News Archive.
'There were no fewer than three displays dealing with the "Spinsters' Club" including one of them - by women - being in questionable taste', photo, The Sydney Mail, 25 May 1927, Google News Archive.
1928
Men and women undergraduates assembled on Wednesday 15 May 1928 in the Union Hall to practise the traditional and topical student songs to be sung at Commem Day on Friday, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 May 1928, National Library of Australia. The visiting members of the 'Take the Air' theatrical company led the practice. After one or two songs, the students called for the theatrical people to entertain them, which they did, including a performance of the 'Black Bottom'.
Members of the 'Take the Air' theatrical company and students outside the Union Hall, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 May 1928, National Library of Australia.
The Faculty of Agriculture display in the students' procession on Friday 18 May 1928. The Vice-Chancellor again extended the boundaries of the procession, photo G3_224_1614, University of Sydney Archives.
The mock trial of Vice-Chancellor Professor Wallace by a 'Court of Injustice', photo, The Sydney Mail, 22 May 1928, Google News Archive.
The 1928 Students' Festival songbook and program, image, 'The Gazette', June 1974.
1929
Illustration for the Students' Festival from The Sydney Mail, 22 May 1929, Google News Archive
Senate approved a city procession for Thursday 23 May 1929. However the students' festival came to an end following disturbances at the Tivoli Theatre on Tuesday night and later students were alleged to have desecrated the Cenotaph in Martin Place. The remaining program, including the procession, was cancelled. Above is an earlier rag between the medical, engineering, arts & science students, photo, Western Mail, 6 June 1929, NLA.
Undergraduates earlier in the week, photo, The Sydney Mail, 22 May 1929, Google News Archive.
The crowded meeting of undergraduates in the Union Hall on Wednesday 22 May 1929, at which a resolution was carried protesting against the action of a small section of undergraduates on the previous evening, and expressing regret for what had happened. They endorsed the action of the Vice-Chancellor in cancelling the Festival, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 May 1929, National Library of Australia.
'From the undergraduates of Sydney University, as an apology for the insult to the glorious dead'. This was the inscription on a large wreath placed on the Cenotaph on the afternoon of 23 May 1929. Twenty-six representatives of the undergraduates, wearing black academic gowns and led by the president, James Gosper, performed the ceremony, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 May 1929, National Library of Australia.
In the 1930s
Photos by Sam Hood, c1928 - 1939
Wesley College boys posing for Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414015.
Wesley College boys, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414014.
Wesley College boys, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414016.
A Commem Day crowd, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414008.
A Commem Day float, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414019.
A Commem Day float, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414018.
At Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414012.
At Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414013.
At Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414020.
1930
Pictured above are students' song practice for Festival Day in 1930, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 May 1930, National Library of Australia.
Hockey Club members in fancy dress during Commem Day 1930, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 May 1930, National Library of Australia.
The Medical students' contribution to Commem Day 1930, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 May 1930, National Library of Australia.
Crowds watching the 1930 procession outside Sydney University, including the Medical students' contribution , photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: a414017.
A Veterinary Science float at Commem Day 1930, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 May 1930, National Library of Australia.
1931
Several Sydney University students at song practice with their new song books for the 1931 Commem Day, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 1931, National Library of Australia.
Women students training for ballet dancing in the annual Commem celebrations in 1931, Western Mail, 9 July 1931, National Library of Australia.
At the official Commemoration on Friday 22 May - Sir John Peden (Chairman, Professorial Board), Professor Stephen Wallace (Vice-Chancellor), Sir William Cullen (Chancellor), Mr Flynn (SRC President), Sir Mungo MacCallum (Deputy Chancellor) and Miss I Fidler (President, Women's Union), photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1931, Google News Archive.
continued
A large gathering of undergraduate students in Science Road for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the University - being addressed by Mr Flynn, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1931, Google News Archive.
A feature of the Festival Day's program was the 'High Court of Injustice', before which the Vice-Chancellor, the President of the SRC and other prominent University people were charged with various offences; the conduct of the cases was humorous and clever. Pictured is the mock trial of V J Flynn, President of the Undergraduates' Association, by a 'Court of Injustice' during the 1931 Sydney University Students' Festival, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1931, Google News Archive.
The mock trial, photo by Sam Hood, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW. Digital order number: a414009.
The mock trial, photo by Sam Hood, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW. Digital order numbers: a414011.
The mock trial, photo by Sam Hood, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW. Digital order numbers: a414010.
Leading the Festival singing, photo, The Sydney Mail, 27 May 1931, Google News Archive.
Women undergraduates students took a prominent part in Festival singing on Commemoration Day in May 1931, photo, 'The Sydney Mail', 27 May 1931, Google News Archive.
Engineering students driving through the University grounds to advertise their Commemoration concert, photo from 'The Sydney Morning Herald', 23 May 1931, NLA Newspapers.
1932
The mock trial of Vice-Chancellor Professor Wallace (on right) at the Students' Festival in 1932, photo, 'The Sydney Morning Herald', 21 May 1932, National Library of Australia.
Students with their ammunition cases of eggs & tomatoes on Commem Day 1932, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_03871.
Medicine v Engineering students, outside Manning House, in 1932, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_03866.
Medicine v Engineering students, outside Manning House, in 1932, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_03868.
Dentistry students in 1932, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_03862.
Women players taking the field in the fancy dress hockey match against men students during Commem Day 1932, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1932, National Library of Australia.
1933
Members of the faculties of Medicine, Science and Engineering during their annual commem battle in 1933, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 May 1933, National Library of Australia.
A wet procession, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1933, Google News Archive.
The prize for the best tableau went to the Faculty of Agriculture, part of which is pictured above, photo, The Sydney Mail, 24 May 1933, Google News Archive.
1934
Engineering and Medical students engaging in their traditional battle with flour and soot "bombs" in the University grounds during Commem celebrations in 1934, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 May 1934, National Library of Australia.
1935
Student Commem Day, 21 May 1935, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12309.
Student Commem Day, 21 May 1935, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12331.
Student Commem Day, 21 May 1935, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12310.
Student Commem Day, 21 May 1935, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12307.
1936
As a protest against the ban on city processions, women undergraduates wrote songs for "Wow", the 1936 University song book. The theme song "You mustn't" was to the tune of Gilbert's "Tit Willow". Senate met to reconsider and lift the ban, if the SRC accepted responsibility for the control of students' activities, photo, The Australian Women's Weekly, 16 May 1936, National Library of Australia.
|
"You mustn't" In a room in the Law School the Senators sat, It's true they were other Studes eight years ago – |
Women undergraduates rehearsing their ballet for the students revue in the 1936 Commem festival, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1936, National Library of Australia.
Large crowds gathered in the city on Thursday 21 May 1936 to watch the first students' procession through the streets for six years. Pictured above is one of the floats, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12303.
A Commem Day float in 1936, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_12302.
The procession moving along George Street, photo, The Central Queensland Herald, 4 June 1936, National Library of Australia.
1937
Medical students on Commem Day on Wednesday 19 May 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14979.
The Materia Medica (pharmacology) float leaving the University on 19 May 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14987.
Dentistry IV and Engineering III floats leaving the University in 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14973.
Dentistry IV and Engineering III floats in the city, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 May 1937, National Library of Australia.
Crowds watching the procession passing St Mary's Cathedral on 19 May 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14972.
Crowds watching women students marching in the Commem procession on 19 May 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14985.
The procession passing Hyde Park in 1937, Photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14999.
A 1937 women's float, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14974.
The women scientists float in 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14971.
Women medical and law students in the 1937 Commem Day procession, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14980.
The Sydney University Women's Undergraduate Association float in the 1937 Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_15000.
Women Veterinary students' float in the 1937 Commem Day procession, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: Hood_14981h.
Female students on Commem Day 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14989.
Part of the 1937 Commem Day, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14976.
A knight and his lady in 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14970.
Three male students in 1937, possibly satirizing Oswald Mosley, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14977.
'Agriculture Nude Club goes for a hike' in 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14982.
1937 Dentistry students, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14986.
Another 'bride', 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14983.
'Queen Lairy - The one and only male steamer', 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14995.
1938
Women's College students performing a dance unit 'She's and Ski's' in the students' revue on the evening of Monday 9 May 1938, which opened Sydney University Festival Week, photo, Sydney Moring Herald, 10 May 1938, National Library of Australia.
The 'Ladies of Medicine III' in the car outside the Medical School on 13 May 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18200.
These women medical students were dressed up as men and travelled in an old horse-drawn vehicle in the 1938 Commem procession, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 May 1938, National Library of Australia.
Medicine I students outside the Medical School during Commem Day, 13 May 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18201.
Male students outside Tropical Medicine in 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18209.
The Faculty of Agriculture women students Commem Day float in May 1938, photo, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18211.
Women Agriculture students on Commem Day in 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18207.
Crowds watching Commem Day procession opposite the T&G Building in Elizabeth Street on 13 May 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18197.
Women students march along Elizabeth and Park Streets in 1938, Photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18214.
Crowds watching the 1938 Commem Day procession in Park Street, with Hyde Park in view, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18199.
Male students in 1938, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_18217.
1939
The Women Evening Students' display in the Students Festival procession on Friday 19 May 1939, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1939, National Library of Australia.
A polyglot collection of ancient automobiles was a popular feature, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1939, National Library of Australia.
More displays, photos, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1939, National Library of Australia.
In the 1940s
The Materia Medica (pharmacology) float at Park Street in the 1940s, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_20380.
'Women evening students' float on Park Street in the 1940s, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_20373.
1940
A skit on the Yamba crocodile, which was never seen, was one of the features of the Student's Procession through the city on Wednesday 15 May 1940, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 May 1940, National Library of Australia. This was the last procession for some years owing to the war.
1941
Members of the University Revue Ballet rehearsing in the Union Hall for the Commemoration Week revue, to be held from 28 to 29 May 1941, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 May 1941, National Library of Australia.
1946
Despite a ban on their procession, the students evaded the police under cover of a smoke screen and paraded through city streets on Tuesday 22 May 1946. Tear gas, flour bombs and water hoses were used in street battles that disrupted traffic. Police and public spectators suffered as flour, gas, water and eggs were showered, photo, The Daily News, 25 May 1946, National Library of Australia.
Above: Two views of the willing flour fight between the "greasers" (engineering students) and "butchers" (medical students) during the Sydney University students' festival of fun on 22 May 1946, photos, The Mercury, 24 May 1946, National Library of Australia.
During the 1946 Commem Day procession, a tram was stopped in City Road as students - men and women - battled around it. Bedraggled girl (right) was taking flour bombs from a box. Another girl (left) fled. Passengers stayed aboard to dodge flying missiles, photo, The Daily News, 25 May 1946, National Library of Australia.
Trams banked up and traffic was blocked. Student in foreground was about to ward off a bomb. Behind him a man and a girl pelted bombs in another direction. Girl (left) was flour-spattered, drenched, photo, The Daily News, 25 May 1946, National Library of Australia.
A party of Hobo Association students leave Romano's Restaurant after failing to book a table. Others attempted to crash nightclubs and hotels, and held billycart races in city thoroughfares, during the 1946 students' festival, photo, Sunday Times, 26 May 1946, National Library of Australia.
1947
Pictured above is the route of the students' city procession, which was on trial, on Tuesday 20 May 1947, image, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 May 1947, National Library of Australia. However, rain drenched the students and many of their floats were ruined. None were banned by the censors and beyond the hurling of flour bombs at spectators the procession caused little worry to police and traffic officers.
1948
During the students' festival procession held on 18 May 1948, police break up a parade by Sydney University students dressed as a sea leopard and rip part of the costume from one of them. This student and four others were later arrested, photo, The Daily News,1 November 1948, National Library of Australia. The procession featured 62 decorated floats which were censored by two police inspectors and the Warden of St Paul's College.
Medical students advancing on the engineering students in the battle between the "Greasers" and the "Butchers", photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1948, National Library of Australia.
1949
The students' procession through the city was held on Tuesday 17 May 1949. On the same day, men and women students played in the Rugby Union game between Physiotherapy and Dentistry . After the game, Carolyn McKelland was ducked in the duckpond, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1949, National Library of Australia.
Members of the University Revue Ballet in their costumes for 'Blue Stockings or Black', The Sunday Herald, 15 May 1949, National Library of Australia.
Twenty-one University men undergraduates invaded Martin Place in pantomime fairy costumes. Carrying a placard saying "Maypole by Courtesy of City Council," they danced in a circle around the Martin Place clock. The students were celebrating the last day of Commemoration Week in May 1949, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 May 1949, National Library of Australia.
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In the 1950s
1950
The students held their Commemoration Week procession through the city on Tuesday 9 May 1950. Police Superintendent Lawrence censored the procession first, checking over trucks as they passed out of the University grounds, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 1950, National Library of Australia. All proceeds from Commemoration Week activities went to the University Settlement.
Five students swam and paddled 2 rubber dinghies in the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park in a Commemoration Week prank on Friday 12 May 1950. They exploded a homemade bomb before making off in a car, and were gone before the police arrived, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 May 1950, National Library of Australia.
1951
30,000 watched the most spectacular students' procession for many years pass through the city on Tuesday 8 May 1951. Several hundred students took part in floats depicting topics such as the University finances, the power crisis, the transport problem and the wedding of King Farouk. Pictured above are members of the 'Sturt Expedition', photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1951, National Library of Australia.
Students dressed in girls' tunics played hockey in Martin Place. The police in the background stopped the game just after the photograph was taken, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1951, National Library of Australia.
1952
The students procession was held on Tuesday 14 May 1952. Pictured above are students against Herbert Vere Evatt (The 'Doc'), Leader of the Australian Labor Party (and thus Leader of the Opposition), photo G3_224_1477_1, University of Sydney Archives.
Students against Ben Chifley, former Labor Prime Minister, photo G3_224_1477_(2), University of Sydney Archives.
Commem Day United Nations float, photo G3_224_1477_3, University of Sydney Archives.
Students called into service old motor cars and a billy-cart (above) during Commem Day, photos, Sunday Times, 25 May 1952, National Library of Australia.
Students staged a mock duel in Martin Place as part of the Commem Day celebrations, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 1952, National Library of Australia.
A policeman excorting one of the duelists from the roadway, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 1952, National Library of Australia.
1953
French and modern art were satirised by students in the Commemoration Day celebrations in May 1953 with this float from the Faculty of Arts, photo, Northern Star, 14 May 1953, National Library of Australia.
The captain of the physiotherapy women's team is thrown into the air by the members of the dental students' team during the Commem Day celebrations on 12 May, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 May 1953, National Library of Australia. The football match between the two sexes was an annual event.
1954
Marianne Stanley, Anne Tobin and Ruth Caley, all Arts II students, who were among those helping to organise the University Commemoration Ball to be held at the Trocadero on Tuesday 11 May 1954, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
Three of the 600 undergraduate students at the Commemoration Day ball at the Trocadero on 11 May, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
Police officers inspect a sign on a Medical Faculty float before the start of the procession on Wednesday 12 May 1954, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
These students rode in the Commemoration Day procession through the city. They were on a float making fun of the Eastern Suburbs railway, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
A large crowd watched these students travel down Martin Place in a rickshaw, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
Scattering confetti, these students were in a group which tried to run into the Town Hall, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
Students invaded Sydney after their procession. Police reinforcements were called to Martin Place when students exploded smoke bombs, lit firecrackers and hurled paper bags full of flour. Pictured above are firemen watching as dense smoke poured from a bomb thrown by students, photo, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
Hundreds of University students shouted and cheered as three of their fellows staged a mock 'Mrs Petrov'" kidnapping during Commemoration Day. Two male students, dressed as "Russian couriers" in long coats, hats, and sun-glasses, dragged a girl, dressed as Mrs Petrov - minus one shoe - down the main aisle of the Union Hall (above), photo, The Argus, 12 May 1954, National Library of Australia.
1958
During Commem Day in May 1958, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: d7_05348.
In the 1960s
1960
On the night of 2 May 1960, the second scupture (on right) of a mermaid at Ben Buckler headland, Bondi, was prised free by Sydney University students, who intended to use her in the University's Commem Day parade the next morning. She was found, damaged beyond repair & clothed, in the School of Engineering before the parade began, photo, The AWW, 1 June 1960.
1961
During Commem Day in May 1961, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: d7_11738.
During Commem Day in May 1961, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: d7_11737.
1965
An an anti-Vietnam War float in the 1965 Commem Day procession, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: d7_19494.
Three of the usherettes at the University's annual revue, 'First, No Pinky', from 21 April to 15 May 1965, photo, Australian Women's Weekly, 28 April 1965, National Library of Australia. All eight usherettes would wear pink.
Lis Bergmann, 2013