Hello everyone. We started the blog as a way to share information about the history of the University of Sydney. Over the years we have received many historical inquiries in our professional capacities. People seem to like to ask questions about the University’s past—some quirky, some serious, some intriguing. But all have one thing in common—a desire to learn about the past.
We wondered if our responses to these questions might appeal to others—we certainly enjoyed researching them—and we decided a blog was a good way to disseminate at least some of these historical tidbits.
We will blog on issues that have sparked our curiosity and interest. There are many amazing historical photographs held by the University, and we shall post some from time to time. There is also a great university oral history project which contains memories of staff and students that date back over a century—and we shall post about that, too. Neither will we neglect the recent past, so expect postings that cover all time periods up to the present-day.
The blog is in its early days, but we hope it will become a repository of sorts, and enjoyable for all to dip into.
Finally, the photograph you see here is one of the first I came across when I joined the University of Sydney. A deceptively civilised afternoon tea on the verandah of the women’s common room in the grounds of the University of Sydney c1893—but why the bananas? And, for that matter, the smiles? The early women students are: [left to right] Constance E. Harker, Ethel A. Russell, Lucy I. Flavelle, Margaret E. Maynard, Eleanor M. Whitfield, Jennie B. Uther. The photograph is one of thousands held by the University of Sydney Archives (G3 224 367).
More will come your way very soon!
