Festival of Autonomy

The Festival of Autonomy is a weeklong event packed with activities, exhibitions and live performances – all culminating in the Autonomy Party at Bar on the Hill.

Long-sought destiny

What lies at the heart of this legendary annual event?

The very first Autonomy Day was held on January 1, 1965.

Our University had opened in 1951, operating as “Newcastle University College of the New South Wales University of Technology”, in Tighes Hill.

But under the leadership of the likes of Professor JJ Auchmuty (he of library fame) and Professor Godfrey Tanner (he of bar fame), a push was made for the University of Newcastle to become independent.

Thus, after years of struggle and the hard work of students and staff alike, the Governor of New South Wales declared the University of Newcastle autonomous on that first day of 1965.

Professor Auchmuty was to be our first Vice-Chancellor, with our by-laws and motto written by Professor Brin Newton-John (father of Olivia).

Back to that first Autonomy Day, legend goes that Professor Tanner ceremonially poured wine on the land, as a bonfire was lit at the site of what would become the Great Hall.

“The flames of the fire symbolised both joy in the attainment of a long-sought destiny and also that confidence in the future which Auchmuty had communicated…”
- Don Wright, Looking Back: A History of the University of Newcastle

The students decided to move the celebrations to mid-year shortly after, but the spirit of that first Autonomy Day – a celebration of our past achievements and renewed determination for a bright future – still burns bright.

Learn more about the Festival of Autonomy with our historical timeline.

What is it?

The annual Uni Revue is an original sketch-comedy theatre production written and performed by University of Newcastle students, with professional direction this year by Amy Morris of Tantrum Youth Arts.

For the 2019 show, the venue has been changed from the Brennan Room to the more intimate Godfrey Tanner Bar, and will be featuring an original musical score written and performed live by Jesse Schadel and band. ‘Big Revue Energy’ takes a tongue-in-cheek look at important issues faced by young people today including (but not limited to): uni life, unpaid internships, student debt, climate change and pollution, work-life balance, and society’s strange obsession with serial killers.

Director: Amy Morris (Tantrum Theatre/UON Alumni)
Assistant Director: James McCaffrey
Stage Manager: Mikayla Calvert
Producers: The University of Newcastle, Hugh Gordon, and Lucy Page
Music: Jesse Schadel
Cast: Hope Maguire, Edward Ingle, Harry Su, Dominic Fitzgerald, Hugo Brennan, Jade Stevens, Broc Hardy, Liam Waterman, Dylan Delvescovo, James Wonderley and Alex Fry

Check the schedule above for show times!