Youngest staff member pledges to return to USQ in 2047
The University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) youngest staff member, Emily Hogarth, has pledged to return to the University in 2047, when she is 58, to open a time capsule that will be buried as part of the launch of the USQ Community Drive on Friday 2 November 2007 at 10am.
A keystone event of the University's 40th Anniversary, the Community Drive features a time capsule, windmill wind sculpture, an avenue of international flags and a carefully selected grove planting of native and exotic species.
Project Champion for the USQ Toowoomba 40th Anniversary Time Capsule, John Clarke, said the capsule contains memorabilia from the present for future generations.
'The time capsule itself is a craftsman-made stainless steel container made to rigorous specifications and many of the items included in the capsule emerged from a competition held between July and September 2007,' Mr Clarke said.
'Specific items include pressed leaves from a Wollemi Pine donated to the University by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, a student identification card donated by Jessie James McNamara, a selection of lively notices from the student notice board and copies of 2007 refectory menus.'
A set of message-sticks produced by local artist Ms Donna Moodie were also donated by the Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges (CAIK) at USQ.
'The message-sticks are made of Brigalow and tied with kangaroo hide. They note the Jarowair, Giabul, Bigarnbul, Wakka Wakka and Goomeri peoples and depict the relationship of these peoples with this land.
'They also highlight the USQ's commitment to Indigenous education, employment and community engagement.'
A key feature of the Capsule is a memoir written by one of USQ's original founders, Doug Plant.
'As an active local community leader and businessman, Mr Plant was a member of the Executive of the Darling Downs University Establishment Association during the early 1960s.
'He was also a member of the famous ‘Barnstorming Tour' of 1963 where a group of prominent DDUEA members flew across southern and western Queensland in a borrowed Piper Commanche aircraft to collect subscriptions to support the establishment of a 'college on the Downs'.
'Mr Plant, now 91, kindly agreed to commit to paper some of his rich experiences, which he has asked not be read until 2047.
'USQ is privileged to be able to include these in the Time Capsule and envies the people of 2047 who will be the first to read these reminiscences.'
USQ's youngest full-time employee Emily Hogarth will also contribute letters and photos to the Time Capsule which she will not see again until she returns to the University in 40 years time when the Capsule is reclaimed.
Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326