Centenary Celebrations Committee

At a meeting of the Senate on 5 September 1949, the Vice-Chancellor moved, and it was subsequently resolved, that the Senate appoint a Committee to report on steps necessary to launch the University Centenary Celebrations, 1950-1952, on 1st January 1950.

This Committee comprised Sir Henry Barraclough, Mr H. W. Knight, Miss F. K. Ogilvie, the Hon. C. E. Martin, and Mr W. A. Selle. On 10 October, 1949, the Senate considered a report of this Committee, and adopted four major recommendations, which included a decision to advertise for a Director of the Celebrations. The Interim Committee reported on 5 December 1949 and recommended that Mr. R. G. Clark be appointed as Director, for one year initially, at 2 thousand pounds p.a. The first meeting of the final Committee was held on 30 March 1950. at this meeting, a full programme was outlined, the idea being to celebrate:

"(a) October 1950 - the celebrations of the centenary of the Act of Incorporation;

(b) December 1951 - the celebrations of the Act of Incorporation receiving the Queens Assent;

(c) October 1952 - celebration of the opening of the University of Sydney, which would be the occasion for the main ceremony to which would be invited representatives of sister universities of British and foreign countries."

The executive of the Committee was named at this meeting also. They were the Chancellor, the Deputy Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, Sir Henry Barraclough, Mr H. D. Black, Hon. C. E. Martin, and Mr W. A. Selle.

It was intended that the celebrations should encompass an appeal for funds to the general public. A public meeting was held on June 7 1950, at which the appeal was launched.

By 13 March 1952, the total amount raised was 239,844 pounds & 8 shillings, including an anonymous donation of 100,000 pounds for a new Chemistry School. The final Committee meeting was on 27 March 1953.