Records of University Life: The University of Sydney Archives and the Macleay Museum

Abstract

1. Julia Mant (Reference Archivist, University Archives), “Core Business” A fundamental role of the University Archives is to ensure the long-term preservation of the student records. The ability to prove attendance and to produce an academic transcript over time is essential evidence of the University's meeting its legal, business and accountability requirements. These archives come in all different formats: leather-bound registers, student cards, and now electronic data. Access to them is subject to privacy and state records legislation. But what other records of student life beyond the final results of study, does the University Archives hold? This seminar will look at a range of sources that record snapshots of student activity, impressions, events, and memorabilia, showcasing the range of records available to researchers. Included will be William Charles Windeyer's letters to his mother in the 1850s; James McManamey's descriptions of College life in the 1870s; recollections of women students in the 1920s; autograph albums; student festivals; political ephemera from the 1970s, clubs, societies, and action groups. 2. Jan Brazier (Curator, Macleay Museum), “The Historic Photograph Collection” The historic photograph collection at the Macleay Museum includes a wealth of lantern-slides created by University lecturers as part of their courses, which are rarely seen. Jan will describe the historical photograph collection, and draw on the extensive Geography collection to illustrate her talk.