Falling leaves, lifted spirits

As autumn leaves begin to fall across campus, the organisers of a new University-wide event think that’s no excuse for people’s spirits to plummet.

A group chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Community), Professor Penny Oakes, invites ANU staff and students to celebrate the seasonal beauty of the campus at an Autumn Festival, to be held for the first time on Thursday, 4 May, at the western end of University Avenue.

“We wanted to organise an event that’s meaningful to all ANU staff and students,” Professor Oakes said. “One thing we all have in common is this beautiful campus. Relative to other campuses around Australia, ours is one where the four seasons are particularly marked. Some people might feel it’s just the harbinger of winter, but an ANU autumn is always a thing of beauty worth celebrating.

“The Autumn Festival belongs to everyone at ANU. It’s an opportunity to have a bit of fun while we appreciate one of our best natural assets. We’re very much hoping that it will become an annual event.”

University Avenue was closed to traffic in 1969, but it was once the main road between Civic and CSIRO. The city planners lined the avenue with flowering plums, picture elms, poplars, and cedars, to showcase each of the seasons from spring through winter.

The majestic autumn-hued trees will frame the festival, which Professor Oakes described as a chance for staff and students to enjoy the diversity of interests and abilities within the University community. 

The lunchtime program will include a range of attractions, from diverse musical performances, to tree tours by the University arborist, to food stalls laden with seasonal fare.

It will peak between 1pm and 2pm, when a plethora of community groups, societies and clubs from across campus will take part in a parade, bearing symbols of the spirit of their group. These spirit tokens will then be displayed along the tree line on University Avenue, with a prize on offer for the best.

“We’ve worked hard to get a comprehensive list of campus groups that we’ll be inviting to join in the parade, but of course anyone who wants to get involved can contact my office for information and encouragement,” Professor Oakes said.

But more than anything else, Professor Oakes is urging people to attend the festival just for fun – to enjoy the company of their friends, and colleagues and celebrate the seasonal splendour of ANU.

For more information on the Autumn Festival, contact Dinah Withey on x54184 or email dinah.withey@anu.edu.au

On Campus March 2006:

Homecoming for new Chancellor

First lady inspires leading women

Legal minds provide input for courses

World award for geneticist

Information highway heads to Kioloa

Moments in the sun

Energy sparks Chinese interest

New ensemble at School of Music

Green skills bound for national stage

Training open to all staff

Hats off to graduates

Joint traineeship doubles rewards

Briefs

Meet Rachel Vance in People@ANU