Cultural Awakenings
What is Autonomy Day?
The origins of the University of Newcastle can be traced back to the establishment of the Newcastle University College at the Newcastle Technical College site in 1951.
The college was established under the authority of the then University of Technology New South Wales (now known as the University of New South Wales). At the time of its establishment, the Newcastle University College had just five full-time students with study restricted to the disciplines of engineering, mathematics and science.
The University became autonomous through the University of Newcastle Act 1964 (NSW) which constituted the University on 1 January 1965 through a Proclamation of His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales. A document known as the University’s Grant of Arms is cited as being the UoN Declaration of Independence.
Each year students celebrate Autonomy Day on the second Friday in semester two . . . even though the official autonomy of the University began on 1 January 1965, with a “symbolic ceremonial bonfire held at the site of the Great Hall”. Legend has it this was officiated by Professor Godfrey Tanner who poured wine libations onto the ground to “sanctify the land upon which the University rests".
Autonomy Day has now become the celebration of the autonomy of the University of Newcastle from the University of NSW.