Issue 562 (March 2007) - Office of Marketing and Communications

12cover storyU Q N E W S , M A R C H 2 0 0 7BridgeTOFUNIT WAS PARTY TIME AT THEUNIVERSITY’S ST LUCIA CAMPUSWHEN THOUSANDS GATHEREDTO TRY OUT THE NEW ELEANORSCHONELL BRIDGE AND ENJOYA HOST OF ACTIVITIES, DISPLAYSAND EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT.More than 6000 Brisbane residents tookpart in the biggest celebration of theEleanor Schonell bridge to date – UQ’sFamily Fun Day on February 25.Families from around Brisbane walked, bikedand bussed their way across the bridge, whichlinks the University’s St Lucia campus with DuttonPark.Among the free activities on offer during theday were historical tours of UQ’s Great Courtled by University sculptor Rhyl Hinwood, juniorsporting clinics, and a pet-friendly lunch at thePizza Caffe.In addition, UQ’s faculties and researchcentres had informational displays, and theUniversity’s Art, Antiquities and Anthropologymuseums and Biological Sciences Library wereopen to the public.An Indigenous welcome to country openedthe event, followed by a presentation from LordMayor Campbell Newman, congratulating UQ forbeing Brisbane’s biggest water-saver.Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, saidthe University was pleased to host the communityso people could discover the many attractions ofthe St Lucia campus.“The Eleanor Schonell Bridge illustrates theUniversity’s commitment to the local communityand the environment, allowing easier and greateraccess than ever before to the outstanding publicfacilities UQ has to offer,” Professor Hay said.“With thousands of Brisbane residentsattending and proceeds from the day supportingthe Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland, theevent was an outstanding success.”Since the bridge opened in December, manyUQ staff members, students and visitors havetaken advantage of the new public transportoptions on offer, with more than 7700 buspassengers and 1400 cyclists commuting to andfrom the campus per day at the start of semester.The fun day was run in partnership with theBrisbane City Council and sponsored by QuestNewspapers.