Calling for USQ memorabilia for 40th Anniversary collections

The University of Southern Queensland is calling on the public to search their photo albums, home movies and cupboards for film footage and precious memorabilia to lend or donate to collections for the University's 40th Anniversary.

As part of the anniversary, the University has established an Historical Archives and video footage collection.

Original plans of the Japanese Gardens; early issues of the USQ student newspaper as far back as 1972 and early graduation certificates have been added to the Historical Archives collection, but more items are needed.

Manager of USQ Records and Archive Services Derek Turner said additional items were sought from the community.

'The intention is to try and acquire a comprehensive collection of material that reflects the development of USQ,' Mr Turner said.

'The collection will be made as visible to the community as possible, giving due consideration to appropriate security and care,' he said.

Items from the collection will be able to be viewed in a series of displays in the USQ Library all year.

Film footage from USQ's early years is being sought for the Distance Education Centre's (DeC) video footage collection. As part of the initiative the DeC Cast collection will stream video footage on the USQ 40th Anniversary website.

Regular web-casts of footage from as early as 1982 will run on the site throughout the year including promotional videos, advertisements, Open Days and Graduations through the institution's history.

Project Champion Jeff Black said people would enjoy having a laugh at some of the older footage and reminiscing about USQ's early days.

'Some of the footage is pretty hilarious, there are some pretty whacky hairdos and outfits from the eighties,'Mr Black said.

'We've also got a bloopers section which will give people a laugh.'

Mr Black encouraged people to visit the website to view the footage, and contact him if they have footage to contribute.

'We're particularly after footage of the institution's early years, from 1967 to 1980,' he said.

'People can also subscribe to receive podcasts of episodes so they can see the footage as soon as it is available.'

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the web cast can contact Mr Black on 4631 2056 or email blackj@usq.edu.au. To view the web-casts, visit www.usq.edu.au/40years/videos.

To contribute to the Historical Archives collection, contact Derek Turner on (07) 4631 1760 or email turner@usq.edu.au.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559