1980–1990

Welcome to the eighth 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 1980–1990.


An image of students clowning around during Orientation Week in 1980.

Students clowning around during Orientation Week in 1980. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Students clowning around during Orientation Week in 1980. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of First-year students being welcomed to UQ during Orientation Week in 1981.

First-year students are welcomed to UQ during Orientation Week in 1981. Image: University of Queensland Archives

First-year students are welcomed to UQ during Orientation Week in 1981. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a band keeping students entertained during Orientation Week in 1981.

A band keeps students entertained during Orientation Week in 1981. Image: University of Queensland Archives

A band keeps students entertained during Orientation Week in 1981. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image looking through the cloisters into the Great Court in 1982.

Looking through the cloisters into the Great Court in 1982. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Looking through the cloisters into the Great Court in 1982. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a computer in 1983.

Computers looked a bit different in the library in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Computers looked a bit different in the library in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of the Dutton Park ferry arriving from UQ in 1983.

The Dutton Park ferry arriving from UQ in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

The Dutton Park ferry arriving from UQ in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image showing Mickey Mouse as the clock face on the Forgan Smith building in 1983.

Mickey Mouse keeps time on the Forgan Smith building in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Mickey Mouse keeps time on the Forgan Smith building in 1983. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of friends and families of students gather for a graduation ceremony at Mayne Hall in 1984.

Friends and families of students gather for a graduation ceremony at Mayne Hall in 1984. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Friends and families of students gather for a graduation ceremony at Mayne Hall in 1984. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of people eating together during Orientation Week in 1984.

Communal dining during Orientation Week in 1984. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Communal dining during Orientation Week in 1984. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of the UQ Vet School's Batorama exhibition during Uni Expo in 1985.

The UQ Vet School's 'Batorama' exhibition during Uni Expo in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

The UQ Vet School's 'Batorama' exhibition during Uni Expo in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a Japanese tea ceremony during Uni Expo in 1985.

A Japanese tea ceremony during Uni Expo in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

A Japanese tea ceremony during Uni Expo in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image protesters holding a sign during an anti-Joh Bjelke-Petersen protest at UQ in 1985.

An anti-Joh Bjelke-Petersen protest at UQ in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An anti-Joh Bjelke-Petersen protest at UQ in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a crowded UQ Recreation Club in 1985.

A crowded UQ Recreation Club in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

A crowded UQ Recreation Club in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a crowded lecture in the Parnell building in 1986.

A packed lecture in the Parnell building in 1986. Image: University of Queensland Archives

A packed lecture in the Parnell building in 1986. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of student lining up for a barbecue during Orientation Week in 1987.

Students line up for a barbecue during Orientation Week in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Students line up for a barbecue during Orientation Week in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of athletes jostling for the lead at the start of the women's Great Court Race in 1985.

Athletes jostle for the lead at the start of the women's Great Court Race in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Athletes jostle for the lead at the start of the women's Great Court Race in 1985. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of students protesting over increased student fees in 1987.

Students protesting over increased student fees in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Students protesting over increased student fees in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a women's hockey match during University Games in 1987.

A women's hockey match during the University Games in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

A women's hockey match during the University Games in 1987. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of a graduation ceremony at the Expo '88 site in 1988.

Graduation ceremonies were held at the Expo '88 site. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Graduation ceremonies were held at the Expo '88 site. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of the Univations display at Expo 88.

The Univations display at Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives

The Univations display at Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of crowds lining up for the Univations display during Expo '88.

Crowds line up for the Univations display during Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives

Crowds line up for the Univations display during Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives

An image of people taking part in UQ's interactive display during Expo '88.

People taking part in UQ's interactive display during Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives

People taking part in UQ's interactive display during Expo '88. Image: University of Queensland Archives


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 1990–2000.

Do you recognise anyone in these photos?

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