UC's top 5 groundbreaking moments
One of the guilty pleasures of working in UC's Alumni Office is getting to trawl through the archive of photographs from our history.
We've marveled at the changes in fashion, been mesmerized by 30 years of "new computer" unveilings, and seen our fair share of students in drag.
However by far our favourite discovery so far has been "sod turning" photos.
Now with 29 buildings, the Bruce campus has been inundated with dignitaries throughout its 47 years each making their own mark on campus.
So grab your shiny ceremonial shovel, sit back and enjoy our top five sod turning moments from UC history.
#5 How not to shovel
Former Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has a strong connection with the University of Canberra which continues through until today. A current Adjunct Professor and a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate we are proud to call Mr Stanhope one of our own.
However under pressure from the large crowd of eager onlookers Mr Stanhope lost all technique when turning the first sod for new residences at the Bruce campus.
What we love
The unusually large crowd of onlookers are also clearly sod-turning aficionados, all thoroughly enjoying UC's shiny ceremonial shovel digging into our hallowed ground.
Where it loses points
While he may be hamstrung by the shovel length, Mr Stanhope is bending far to much with his back. To be fair though, he may be distracted by the strategically placed rock next to the shoveling site.
#4 Dig here
A Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1997, Distinguished Alumnus Simon Corbell has turned over his fair share of soil around the ACT (as evidenced by his textbook technique). In what we can only guess from fashion clues is the 90s or early 2000s, Mr Corbell paid a visit to the Bruce campus to show his shoveling skills.
What we love
A seasoned campaigner, MLA Corbell has perfect shovel technique. We are also big fans of the big-top style marquee hired for the occasion.
Where it loses points
The circle on the ground to indicate which piece of ground should be broken seems slightly over the top for such an expert shoveler.
#3 Not even a protest can stop a sod turn
We all know that University students love a protest, but it takes a brave man to step foot onto a campus when you are asking students to pay for their university education for the first time in 16 years.
As Minister for Employment, Education and Training in the Hawke Government, John Dawkins brought in a series of reforms for higher education which included increasing the number of universities, merging universities and colleges of advanced education, and most importantly for students at the time, re-introduced university fees.
In 1989 at the height of the reforms Mr Dawkins came to campus to break some ground, and rather predictably was greeted by CCAE students wanting to let him know their thoughts on the topic.
What we love
While the turn out might not have been massive, those in attendance did go to a lot of effort with their signage. We are big fans of the tombstone and the member of the local constabulary keeping the rowdy crowd in check.
Where it loses points
For a long serving Minister Mr Dawkins doesn't have the greatest shoveling technique. It's important to bend from the knees, and two hands for beginners.
#2 How many politicians does it take to dig a hole?
In a day and age of relationship management and constituent engagement it is vitally important for all stakeholders to be consulted and thanked at all possible moments.
With this in mind, UC invited Ochre Health CEO John Burns, Minister for Health Tanya Pilbersek, local member Andrew Leigh and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher to all assist in the sod turning of the new Health Hub in 2013.
What we love
You can never have enough people in a sod turning photo, especially when they all have matching vests and hard hats. Bonus points for the strategically placed machinery in the background helping everyone to pretend to be construction workers for a day.
Where it loses points
If you're going to the effort of having two shovels you may as well get five. Bonus points lost for non-matching shovels.
#1 The PM shows how it should really be done
Few Prime Ministers have been men of action like John Gorton.
Not only did Sir John crash land three times as a fighter pilot with the RAAF during the Second World War, he also spent a day in shark-infested waters after his rescue ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.
It's no surprise then that the Prime Minister would take the bad-ass option when breaking ground on the site for what would eventually become the University of Canberra. Rather than taking the traditional shovel and pose for photos approach, Sir John commandeered a nearby excavator and turned sods in a way that only a gallant fighter pilot could.
What we love
Everything!
There are no safety vests or hard hats, the PM is still in his suit (complete with pocket handkerchief), and no one seems concerned at all that there is a child helping the leader of the nation to drive a piece of heavy equipment through a paddock.
Where it loses points
This is a ten out of ten sod turn, and the gold standard by which all future sod turnings should be judged.
Did you witness any of our top 5 groundbreaking moments or see one that was even better? Jump onto our Facebook page or send us an email to tell your story.
Words by Daniel Murphy