Cultural, Community and Campus Events
Upcoming events
15
Oct
Taming your inner critic with Clare Bowditch
Clare Bowditch joins Bupa to share candid, heartfelt stories and to invite us to reflect on the question of what it might mean to live a ‘well-lived’ life. Wednesday 15 October, 12.30–1.30 pm. Online. Register.
16
Oct
My re-awakening: how the label of neurodivergent has helped me.
The Neurodiversity Project invites invites you to listen to our four panel speakers who will be discussing their journeys. Specifically, how our speakers learnt about their neurodivergence and the potential positive impacts this had on their mental health. Thursday 16 October, 2–4 pm. LG28 lecture theatre, Lower Napier building, North Terrace campus. Register.
16
Oct
Healthy Development Adelaide Oration
Have we got it wrong? The public health approach and child protection presented by Professor Leah Bromfield who will discuss the application – and misapplication – of the public health approach, and practical ways forward to realise the intent of a transformed approach to child protection. Thursday 16 October, 6–8 pm. 102 lecture theatre, Napier building, North Terrace campus. Register.
20
Oct
Sports Week and the Vice-Chancellor's Cup returns for 2025 with a variety of sports and activities to get involved in. Compete for bragging rights across a week of different sports, looking to become the winner of the Sports Week shield, culminating in the 17th annual Vice Chancellor's Cup 800m relay and being awarded the VC Cup trophy. Monday 20 to Friday 24 October. North Terrace campus. Register.
20
Oct
Road to Belém | Living La Vida BoCA: Border Carbon Adjustments and Rules-Based Trade.
With COP30 fast approaching, border-carbon adjustments are shifting from proposal to practice, reframing the balance between decarbonisation ambition and an open, rules-based trading system. This session stress-tests an Australian BoCA concept across economic, legal and diplomatic dimensions: how leakage risks are defined; how product-carbon data are measured, verified and disclosed; and how non-discrimination, proportionality and transparency can be maintained. Monday 20 October, 10.30 am to 12 pm. Online. Register.
23
Oct
Julia Gillard Public Lecture 2025
Former Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Julia Gillard AC will facilitate an informed conversation on how the rapidly changing geopolitical environment and rise of disinformation is impacting Australia, our foreign policy, development assistance and our universities, and how these factors might be leveraged for better outcomes. Thursday 23 October, 9.30–11.15 am. Bonython Hall, North Terrace campus. Register.
Past events
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2019 events
Carols on Campus
Members of the University community came together on Tuesday 3 December to celebrate the holiday season with music and song. Thank you to all those who contributed to the University's Giving Tree, in support of the Smith Family.
125th anniversary of women's suffrage
The University invited notable women and leaders to celebrate the anniversary of South Australia's landmark legislation to allow women the right to vote and stand for Parliament.
SA Music Awards
The University was proud to partner and host the South Australian Music Awards held in November, which showcased the best local music talent in South Australia and recognised excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. Students and staff from the University's Elder Conservatorium performed on the night.
Renao Street: Mid-Autumn Festival
The University celebrated Chinese culture on campus on Friday 18 October. As part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hub Central was transformed into Renao Street (热闹街) (hot and noisy) on the eve of Oz Asia Festival. Student and community groups hosted stalls with produce, products and activities. Members of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and Adelaide Chinese Orchestra also performed during the event.
Light the Night
The University of Adelaide hosted Light the Night, Leukaemia Foundation's beautiful evening lantern walk for the first time on Friday 11 October. At twilight, the community came together to transform the darkness into a sea of glowing light. Light the Night aims to raise awareness of blood cancer and give hope to patients and families of those impacted by blood cancer.
150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi Birth
On Wednesday 2 October 2019, The University of Adelaide hosted the Indian Association of South Australia’s celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. A moving ceremony was held around the Statue in the Garden of Contemplation, and was followed by an oration by the Hon Michael Kirby on 'The Sesquicentenary of Mahatma Gandhi' and its relevance for Australia and the world.
Reconciliation Action Plan launch
The University of Adelaide launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Yangadlitya (translating to “for the future”) on Wednesday 18th September 2019. RAP highlights the University’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation through the creation of an environment where Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians can learn, teach and research alongside one another. More information
City to Bay Fun Run
More than 300 members of the University of Adelaide community (students, staff and alumni) took part in the 2019 City-Bay Fun Run. The team, sponsored by Westpac, came together at the finish line to enjoy hot and cold refreshments at the University and AU Sport marquee. Photos from the event
Hutt St Centre's Walk a Mile in my Boots
On a cold Friday morning in August 2018, the University Community Volunteering team stepped out to participate in the annual Hutt Street Centre's Walk a Mile in my Boots. More than 6,000 South Australian walked a mile together to show their solidarity for people facing homelessness in the cold, wet South Australian winters and raise vital funds to support programs and services for Hutt Street Centre.
SA Migrant Small Business Expo
On Thursday 29 August, the University of Adelaide hosted South Australian Migrant Small Business Expo delegates. The Expo featured presentations, an expert panel and special exhibitions that brought together all the information needed to start and manage a small business. The Expo was followed by the Multicultural Business Women’s Networking event for female entrepreneurs.
Reconciliation Week BBQ and Sea of Hands
The theme for the 2019 Reconciliation Week was 'Grounded in Truth: Walk Together With Courage'. In celebration of this important national event, the University hosted a series of reconciliation activities. These included the Reconciliation Week BBQ on Friday 24 May 2019, and the Sea of Hands installation on Barr Smith lawns.
Relay for Life
For more than 19 hours, from Saturday 23 February to Sunday 24 February, the University's relay team Degreelays participated in the Cancer Council's Relay for Life to celebrate lives of those that have been touched by cancer. The team raised more than $2000 in 2019.
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2018 events
Carols on Campus
At the end of every year, the University celebrates the festive season with Carols on Campus. This free community event brings together family and friends for an evening of Christmas music, readings and favourite carols. In 2018, Elder Conservatorium of Music's chorale entertained the community with its beautiful voices. Guests were also invited to bring a book or toy to place under the gifting tree to support the Smith Family.
Smith Family
On Wednesday 12 December 2018, the University's community volunteering team supported The Smith Family by helping sort and pack Christmas presents for those in need. The Smith Family is an independent children's charity helping disadvantaged Australian children get the most out of their education, so they can create a better future for themselves.
City to Bay Fun Run
On Sunday 16 September 2018, 310 members of the University community (students, staff, alumni, friends and stakeholders) participated in the City to Bay Fun Run. The team was sponsored by Westpac. Post-race, the University of Adelaide team members headed to the University and AU Sport marquee to fuel up with hot and cold refreshments. Photos from the event
Walk a Mile
On a cold Friday morning in August 2018, the University Community Volunteering team stepped out to participate in the annual Hutt Street Centre's Walk a Mile in my Boots. More than 6,000 South Australian walked a mile together to show their solidarity for people facing homelessness in the cold, wet South Australian winter and raise vital funds to support programs and services for Hutt Street Centre.
National Reconciliation Week BBQ
From 27 May 2018 to 3 June 2018, the University hosted a series of reconciliation activities to mark National Reconciliation Week. This included the Reconciliation Week BBQ on Friday 25 May 2018.
Mother's Day Classic
Cancer Council's Mother's Day Classic run or walk for breast cancer research happens every year on Mother Day. On Sunday 13 May 2018, more than 70 members of the University community participated in Mother's Day Classic to support awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research.
Relay for Life
Held over 19 hours from Saturday 24 February to Sunday 25 February, the University's relay team Degreelays participated in Cancer Council's Relay for Life to celebrate lives of those that have been touched by cancer. The team raised more than $2000 in 2018.