Living history at the University of Adelaide

Monday, 10 April 2006

The University of Adelaide has thrown its support behind SA History Week 2006, signing up as a major sponsor for this year's event, which runs from May 20-28.

With 29 heritage-listed properties spread over its four Adelaide campuses, the University is an ideal partner for the History Trust of SA, according to Vice-Chancellor, Professor James McWha.

"In the context of the history of South Australia and the history of the University of Adelaide, the two are inseparable," Professor McWha said.

The University's History discipline, which celebrated its centenary in 2002, has been at the forefront of history departments in Australia since the turn of the last century.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Mike Innes, said the history department was held in high regard across the country and had produced some outstanding graduates in the past 104 years.

These include Australia's most successful fantasy author, Sara Warneke (aka Sara Douglass), who is one of the University's award-winning Life Impact campaign stars.

Other notable figures, who have either majored in History at the University of Adelaide, or graduated with Honours, include former Senators Robert Hill and Baden Teague, former leader of the Uniting Church in South Australia, Don Hopgood, folk singer and Northern Territory Administrator, Ted Egan, former CEO of the Australian Submarine Corp, Hans Ohff, former Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia, Sir Walter Crocker, and the first two Professors of History at Macquarie University, Jill Roe and Angela Woolacott.

As part of its commitment to SA History Week, the University will feature guided tours of six of its own heritage-listed buildings on the North Terrace campus: the Hartley Building, Bonython Hall, Mitchell Building, Elder Hall, the Barr Smith Library Reading Room and the Union building.

Separate tours will be held of the Mitchell Gates, Victoria Drive and Frome Road fences.

The public is invited onto the North Terrace campus during SA History Week to learn about the University's history through its heritage buildings, laboratories and fences.

SA History Week 2006 will include a record number of more than 270 activities in and around Adelaide, as well as across the state.

For more information on the University of Adelaide tours, phone Mirna Heruc, Manager Art and Heritage Collections, on (08) 8303 4031.

A full program of activities for SA History Week is available from the History Trust of South Australia, or on-line at www.history.sa.gov.au/history/historyweek.htm from Monday, May 1. Printed copies will be distributed statewide via libraries, councils and visitor information centres.

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