RABELAIS The Newspaper Edition
Edition Four
2018
LA TROBE UNIVERSITY’S LA 50 YEARS: YEARS:A Timeline 50 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of La Trobe University since its inception in 1967, which saw 511 students enrolled in the university. Today La Trobe educates more than 36,000 students, including over 8,000 international students from over 90 countries.
We have been transforming higher education with courses and research centres that lead the way in their field. We are committed to the pursuit of world-class research that makes a difference to some of the world’s most pressing problems. We were established to broaden participation in higher education amongst our
“In those 50 years more than 180,000 students have graduated with a La Trobe Degree; all of them going on to make a difference in their communities and workplaces across the world. Along the way they’ve created a strong and engaged alumni network that spans the continents, skill sets and generations.
State’s most disadvantaged communities. This mission has endured for nearly 50 years and continues as a key priority.” - La Trobe 50 The university opened its 50 year celebrations on Sunday 5 March 2017 with a “La Trobe Lawn Lunch,” a day of celebrating La Trobe’s history (continued on page 6)
For over 50 years we have continued to seek knowledge, challenge convention and change the way people think.
THIS EDITION:
12 THE FUTURE IS FEMALE
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50 YEARS OF
RABELAIS
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HOROSCOPES MEET MELBOURNE WEBFEST
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The Hangar –
Student Amenities Building Home of Wodonga Student Association (WSA) at La Trobe University Albury Wodonga campus. In 1991 La Trobe University established the AlburyWodonga campus in place of the Wodonga Institute of Tertiary Education. In these early years La Trobe University staff, students, and WSA were located on the Wodonga TAFE campus. Student classrooms, the library, the cafeteria, staff offices, etc were all located within Wodonga TAFE. The student committee of WSA, representing the students of La Trobe University and Wodonga TAFE, had the foresight to make enough savings from their annual operational budget (funded by student fees) over several years to save a deposit to fund the construction of a Student Amenities Building. In 1994, the WSA saved $200,000 for a deposit. A student building committee was then formed representing WSA, La Trobe University, and Wodonga TAFE to manage the building process of the student amenities building. During the planning stage, the cost of the proposed student building construction was budgeted at $600,000. Further funding was organized, including a bank loan taken out by WSA and guaranteed by La Trobe University for $200,000. Another $200,000 was loaned to WSA by Wodonga TAFE as they were unable to guarantee a bank loan as
previously planned. Both of these loans were budgeted to be paid off quite quickly and were paid off many years ago. Following the construction of the the student amenities building, WSA provided further funding from WSA’s operational budget for furnishings and other necessities. Construction of the student amenities building occurred during 1994. It was built on the Wodonga TAFE campus, opposite the new La Trobe University campus on Parkers Road. This occurred before any building had been built on the current university land opposite the building. WSA’s first full year of providing services from the building for La Trobe and TAFE students was in 1995. When the student amenities building was occupied, it became apparent that a building name was needed. A “Name the Building” competition was held to name the new building. The winning name was the Hangar, referring to the building’s wide spanning hall and the building roofline – like an aeroplane hangar. Today, the Hangar is home to the WSA and hosts a wide range of facilities, services and activities for students. In the early years, the main facilities were the Hangar (continued on page 7)