Past and present leaders on hand for exhibition

USQ's three Chancellors - Dr Allison Dickson, Bobbie Brazil and Dr Don Stevens at the DDIAE 40th Anniversary Exhibition

USQ leaders from the past and present were on hand to open the DDIAE 40th Anniversary Exhibition at USQ Toowoomba Library on Monday 27 June.

The event’s significance was highlighted as the two former Chancellors, Dr Allison Dickson and Dr Don Stevens joined current Chancellor Mrs Bobbie Brazil to celebrate USQ’s past and future aspirations.

The event was also attended by current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove and past Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University College of Southern Queensland, Professor Tom Ledwidge who oversaw the transition from DDIAE (Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education) to USQ.

Key early founder identities including Dellys Kelly and Lea Rapoport also attended; highlighting aspects of the institution’s rich past. Ms Kelly and Ms Rapoport were integral to the formation of the DDIAE in the 1960s. Professor Paul McNally, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Director of DDIAE/USQ, was also in attendance.

USQ’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Bernard Lillis said that USQ owes much to the commitment of the leaders of the past.

“USQ has a built a rich history over the past 40 plus years and into the future we still have a lot to achieve,” Mr Lillis said.

“The achievements of the past allow us to being on a very solid foundation.”

USQ’s beginnings arose from a groundswell of community action in the 1960s arguing for the benefits of locating a higher education institution on the Darling Downs.

After lobbying the government and raising significant funds from the local community, the Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs) was born in 1967. This became the DDIAE in 1971, the University College of Southern Queensland in 1990 and finally the University of Southern Queensland in 1992.

Professor Phil Candy, USQ’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Learning) said that dramatic changes had happened in society during that time and that USQ’s position as an industry leader was something to be proud of.

“When DDIAE was established in 1971 Toowoomba had a population of just 52,000, just half of what it is today” Professor Candy said.

“The landscape that USQ operates in has changed almost beyond recognition with the advent of new technologies that have revolutionised both the way USQ operates and the learning and teaching opportunities we provide.”

“The landscape will continue to change in the future as well with the progression of university education from an elite opportunity for some through to a standard expectation for a growing proportion of Australians, providing new opportunities in the future.”

USQ was established by the community and has always retained strong community links. It has brought in many international guests to the communities and recently the Toowoomba Regional Council hosted many international students to welcome them to the community.

Professor Bill Lovegrove said that USQ has also retained links to the original visions of DDIAE 40 years ago.

“In 1971 DDIAE had five key directions – innovation; quality; growth and development; partnerships; and community – something that is still close to our key organisational goals of 2011,” Professor Lovegrove said.

“These ideals were built by many of the people in attendance and they certainly helped shape the USQ that we have today.”

The DDIAE 40th Anniversary Exhibition mounted by the USQ Historical Archives is open to the public and can be viewed free of charge in USQ Toowoomba Library.

If you would like to donate or lend any items relating to the historical development of the University of Southern Queensland, please contact Derek Turner
Contact Details:
Sam Tickell, USQ Media ,+61 7 4631 2559
19/07/2011