1911–1920

Welcome to the first instalment of '11 Decades in 11 Weeks at UQ'. In this series, Contact heads to the archives to bring you the best images from the past 110 years. We begin with 1911–1920.


An image of The Foundation Professors of UQ: John Michie, Alexander Gibson, Henry Priestley and Bertram Steele in 1911.

The foundation professors of UQ: John Michie, Alexander Gibson, Henry Priestley and Bertram Steele in 1911. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The foundation professors of UQ: John Michie, Alexander Gibson, Henry Priestley and Bertram Steele in 1911. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An group image of The first Queensland University Dramatic Company in 1913.

The first Queensland University Dramatic Company in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The first Queensland University Dramatic Company in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A team image of the UQ's King's College football team, the winners of the University's first Inter-college competition in 1913.

UQ's King's College football team, the winners of the University's first Inter-College Competition in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ's King's College football team, the winners of the University's first Inter-College Competition in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of UQ hockey player Louie (Louisa) Wilkie in 1913.

UQ hockey player Louie (Louisa) Wilkie in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ hockey player Louie (Louisa) Wilkie in 1913. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A group image of The St John's College residents of 1914.

The St John's College residents of 1914. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The St John's College residents of 1914. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of the UQ Women's College hockey team resting in 1914.

The UQ Women's College hockey team resting in 1914. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The UQ Women's College hockey team resting in 1914. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A group image of UQ graduates at the George Street campus in Brisbane in 1916. See the two men third and fourth from the left in the back row? They’re Charles Wonderley and Walde Fisher, standing side-by-side. Just weeks after this photo was taken, with World War I in full swing on the Western Front, both embarked for active service. On 5 April 1918, they were both killed on the same battlefield near Amiens, in France.

UQ graduates at the George Street campus in Brisbane in 1916. See the two men third and fourth from the left in the back row? They’re Charles Wonderley and Walde Fisher, standing side-by-side. Just weeks after this photo was taken, with World War I in full swing on the Western Front, both embarked for active service. On 5 April 1918, they were both killed on the same battlefield near Amiens, in France. Read their story in Contact magazine. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ graduates at the George Street campus in Brisbane in 1916. See the two men third and fourth from the left in the back row? They’re Charles Wonderley and Walde Fisher, standing side-by-side. Just weeks after this photo was taken, with World War I in full swing on the Western Front, both embarked for active service. On 5 April 1918, they were both killed on the same battlefield near Amiens, in France. Read their story in Contact magazine. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An action image of The University Football Club versus the Queensland Combined Schools in 1918.

The University Football Club versus the Queensland Combined Schools in 1918. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The University Football Club versus the Queensland Combined Schools in 1918. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of the UQ crew before a boat race in 1919.

The UQ crew before a boat race in 1919. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The UQ crew before a boat race in 1919. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of N.F. George on a penny farthing bicycle at UQ in 1919.

N.F. George on a penny farthing bicycle at UQ in 1919. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

N.F. George on a penny farthing bicycle at UQ in 1919. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection


Keep checking the Contact website next week to catch the second instalment of the '11 Decades in 11 Weeks at UQ' series, when we look back on 1920–1930.

Do you recognise anyone in these photos?

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