Convocation of UWA Graduates

Convocation Day and Somerville's 75th anniversary

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A very special celebration
Next year is the start of a whole new decade and Convocation of UWA Graduates' annual Convocation Day event will not only mark the year with a traditional tree planting, it will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first performance in Somerville Auditorium.

Doug McGhie

Convocation Day – and Somerville's 75th anniversary

Convocation Day, on Sunday 23 February 2020, commemorates the first meeting of Convocation in 1913 and will feature Guild President Bre Shanahan and Warden of Convocation Dr Doug McGhie planting a white jacaranda on the north side of James Oval at 4.30 pm.

Then at 5.30 pm, graduates, who have been subscribers and donors to Convocation, and their guests, will be invited to a mini re-enactment of the first ever performance in Somerville – the first in the Everyman's Music series organised by Fred Alexander, historian and founder of UWA's Summer School and the Perth Festival.

David Wood (baritone) and Adrian Soares (pianist) – recent star graduates from the UWA Conservatorium – will perform in the spirit of that first performance.

From 6 pm until 7.30 pm, a sundowner will be held at Somerville. Those wanting to make a night of it, can also attend the Somerville film Pacificado straight after the sundowner at 8 pm.  Tickets can be purchased from the Perth Festival website.

Dr McGhie said Convocation Day celebrations now attract many UWA graduates, keen to commemorate this important occasion and catch up with old UWA friends.

"It's fantastic that the 75th anniversary of the very first performance at Somerville – which is not only a great icon for UWA, but also for Perth – can be jointly celebrated on Convocation Day 2020," Dr McGhie said.

"I encourage these special UWA graduates to join us on 23 February next year at what will be a fantastic occasion, especially with a very unique performance planned for the Somerville."

Facts

  • The membership of Convocation comprises all 130,000 graduates of UWA
  • As a community and network of graduates, Convocation forms the electorate for elections of members to the UWA Senate and the Council of Convocation
  • Further information on Convocation is available at www.convocation.uwa.edu.au