1920–1930

Welcome to the second 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. This week, we look back on 1920–1930.


An image of A group of UQ students in 1920.

A group of UQ students in 1920. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A group of UQ students in 1920. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Members of the Emmanuel College tennis team in 1922.

Members of the Emmanuel College tennis team in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Members of the Emmanuel College tennis team in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of a group of UQ professors and lecturers at a garden party in 1922.

A group of UQ professors and lecturers at a garden party in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A group of UQ professors and lecturers at a garden party in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of a UQ staff portrait in 1922.

A UQ staff portrait in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A UQ staff portrait in 1922. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of UQ lady coxswains (from left) Noela Harris, Freda Oxnam, Ruby Phillips, Isobel Dowrie, Margery Park, Greta Ferguson and Alma Dent in 1924.

UQ lady coxswains (from left) Noela Harris, Freda Oxnam, Ruby Phillips, Isobel Dowrie, Margery Park, Greta Ferguson and Alma Dent in 1924. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ lady coxswains (from left) Noela Harris, Freda Oxnam, Ruby Phillips, Isobel Dowrie, Margery Park, Greta Ferguson and Alma Dent in 1924. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of UQ engineering students at the Commemoration Day procession in 1926.

UQ engineering students at the Commemoration Day procession in 1926. A highlight of the UQ university year, Commemoration Week culminated in the annual student procession through the city streets of Brisbane on the Friday morning. A Commem. Ball was then held at Cloudland that night. The floats assembled in what is now the QUT grounds but was then The University of Queensland, close to the river. The procession made its way out of the front gates along George Street, down Elizabeth Street, along Albert Street, then up Alice Street and back to the starting point. Large crowds came to watch, applaud and laugh as the procession wended its way through the city. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection; Information: Ted Christie

UQ engineering students at the Commemoration Day procession in 1926. A highlight of the UQ university year, Commemoration Week culminated in the annual student procession through the city streets of Brisbane on the Friday morning. A Commem. Ball was then held at Cloudland that night. The floats assembled in what is now the QUT grounds but was then The University of Queensland, close to the river. The procession made its way out of the front gates along George Street, down Elizabeth Street, along Albert Street, then up Alice Street and back to the starting point. Large crowds came to watch, applaud and laugh as the procession wended its way through the city. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection; Information: Ted Christie

An image of Dr James Mayne handing over the gift used to acquire the land at St Lucia for UQ to Alderman William Jolly in 1926.

Dr James Mayne handing over the gift used to acquire the land at St Lucia for UQ to Alderman William Jolly in 1926. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Dr James Mayne handing over the gift used to acquire the land at St Lucia for UQ to Alderman William Jolly in 1926. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of UQ students in cars ready for the Commemoration Day procession in 1926.

UQ students in cars ready for the Commemoration Day procession in 1926. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ students in cars ready for the Commemoration Day procession in 1926. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Principal of Emmanuel College M Henderson (left) and UQ Vice-Chancellor WN Robertson (right) welcome the Duke of York (later King George VI) to the University in 1927.

Principal of Emmanuel College M Henderson (left) and UQ Vice-Chancellor WN Robertson (right) welcome the Duke of York (later to become King George VI) to the University in 1927. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Principal of Emmanuel College M Henderson (left) and UQ Vice-Chancellor WN Robertson (right) welcome the Duke of York (later to become King George VI) to the University in 1927. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Nora Holdsworth, James Lowson and Dorothy Hill at a UQ geology excursion in 1928.

Nora Holdsworth, James Lowson and Dorothy Hill at a UQ geology excursion in 1928. Dorothy Hill was was a pioneer in geological and paleontological research and a leader for women in science. She was Australia’s first female professor and the first female president of the Australian Academy of Science. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Nora Holdsworth, James Lowson and Dorothy Hill at a UQ geology excursion in 1928. Dorothy Hill was was a pioneer in geological and paleontological research and a leader for women in science. She was Australia’s first female professor and the first female president of the Australian Academy of Science. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Nora Holdsworth, James Lowson and Dorothy Hill at a UQ geology excursion in 1928.

Dorothy Hill (in white) competing in a hurdles race in 1928. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Dorothy Hill (in white) competing in a hurdles race in 1928. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Women's College residents of 1929, with Principal Freda Bage (front row, centre).

Women's College residents of 1929, with Principal Freda Bage (front row, centre). Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Women's College residents of 1929, with Principal Freda Bage (front row, centre). Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection


Keep checking the Contact website next week to catch the next instalment of the '11 Decades in 11 Weeks at UQ' series, when we look back on 1930–1940.

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