The University of Melbourne ~ summer '09

I've been doing photowalks in the city for quite a while now, much to the point where I think a new environment would suit me well to ease my boredom. So I took some time to walk around Melbourne Uni, alone as usual, where I was fully tuned and sensitive to my surroundings. With the E-3 in hand along with the 12-60 and 7-14, I set on my journey into places which are familiar, yet strangely alien at the same time without the usual chaotic chatter and mass of university students. (Its due to the exam season, of course).

The Medical building. A good many of my friends taking this course have walked through its doors, hopefully to to be a Medical specialist / researcger in the future. Shaped roughly like a "shuriken" in plan, this building does look a little long in the tooth. Considering medicine is one of the university's fortes, its high time that this building should get replaced!

The Gatekeepers' Cottage along Grattan street. It's still in use by the current security guards that work for the university after some additional renovations.

Lawns are essential for university students to sit down and have some lunch, chat, sunbathe, study, and sometimes even make out. Note that this is mostly relevant for Aussie students; Asians usually like to stay within the confines of the faculty library and enjoy the aircond in this summer heat.

The Old Quadrangle. A popular place for graduation photos, due to its sandstone finish. Makes one look smart I reckon.

The Old Quadrangle is connected to the Old Arts building on the left. The clock tower was once the most
imposing structure all around uni, until folks started constructing higher buildings.

Going around the corner leads you to Cussonia Court. Sorry, I don't have green hands, so you may read the captions for yourself here.

Viewing South Lawn from the Gothic arches of the Old Quadrangle.

Though the cloisters are actually well used, most of us don't exactly know what goes in the buildings which are  not specifically our faculties. I guess folks like me definitely need more time to explore the uni!

The Raymond Priestly Building where Student Administration is located. If you're a new student, you'll almost definitely be directed here to do some paperwork. The large arches function very well is wind tunnels, so don't be surprised to get blown away if its quite windy!

The Union House and Concrete Lawn, where most of us hang out for lunch with some mixed rice, sandwiches or pizza in hand. Uni food is still relatively cheap to the ones in the city, though there will be some exceptions.

The Alice Hoy building which is part of the Faculty of Education. Most of the Fotoholics meetings were held here this year.

The Sidney Myer Asia Center. It still is one of the most ''advanced'' buildings comissioned by the University and designed by Nonda Katsalidis architects.

The atrium space between the ERC library and the Doug McDonell building has been sheltered with a very expansive glass roof.

A glimpse of the rooftops of the 1888 building as seen from the ERC libary.

The Frank Tate building which (once) housed Bullwinkles, my favourite stationery shop on campus. The small prayer hall inside is still actively in use. You could get the cheapest meals on campus there - 3 bucks for a packet of Malaysian nasi lemak or curry rice.

Brick as a very modular building material is used quite actively for most of the buildings built around the 70s - 80s.

The 1888 building, as viewed right next to the Arts Center. It definitely still retains its character and beauty despite being built a century earlier than the Arts Center next to it!

Flowers are in full bloom, and many fine specimens may be found in the University's gardens.

If you're lucky enough to stay near to the University grounds, walking to class is definitely a healthier (and cheaper) option. Eating centers also abound around the university, eg. KFC and Subway, but the Italian restaurants of Lygon Street are just a short walk away.

Two of the most popular faculties housed in magnificent buildings; the Economics and Commerce building on the left while the Law Building is on the right.

For those who havent' returned to their Alma Mater for a while, this is what she looks like in Summer 2009.

Cheers~

photo walk :25 aug 09

Went to uni early today because Fotoholics was organising a flash workshop. Despite the erratic weather warnings, it was sunny this morning.


Several art installations have been placed around uni in conjunction with the MUD fest.


Before lunchtime, the university is usually quite empty.




This is the newly renovated section of the ERC library. The high ceilings make the space appear quite dramatic.


Lots of skylights permit sunlight to illuminate this large space.


Not far from the large renovation is a small pavilion which carrys somewhat the same concept. The forms are rather striking, I must say.


Students may sit here to have lunch while listening to music playing softly in the background.



The flowers look still, but the wind was blowing vigorously during this time.


I also managed to pay a visit to St Mary's church in North Melbourne. It is no where as large as the catholic church near my place, but it is definitely very old.



I was paying attention to the shadows after the light goes through the rose windows.





Todays' what the duck reflection:

Have you ever experienced a situation where you didn't want to be associated with a job you recently undertook?

I have :)

The University of Melbourne Open Day 2009

Since there was so much hype about Melbourne University's Open Day advertisements, I made my way to uni today [16 Aug 09] to see for myself what the fuss is all about. It was a blisteringly windy day too, but it didn't deter the crowds from coming in droves.


I wasn't dissapointed :) The university has definitely put in more effort this year to attract more students. I must have stunned this poor fellow with my flash.


A common sight at each booth : name tags, colourful brochures, stationery, sweets, etc.


Each faculty has a different coloured balloon. The school of Environments (which I am in ) is orange.


Some undergraduate student work was displayed.


The MSD (melbourne design school) students printed out a large map of Melbourne in one of the rooms.


I do not know what was its purpose, but it looks interesting.


A balsa wood model.


Dr. Paolo Tombesi explaining the entry requirements of the Melbourne Design School to a prospective student.


There was a pop corn booth on the ground floor of the archi building. How awesome is that?


Freshly barbequed sausages to warm our hungry stomaches... yumm


I also made my way to the other tents around campus.



The veterinary booth. I think the skull on the right is a pig's.


The Baldwin Spencer building was packed to the brim. There was hardly enough space to walk around.



The young apprentice sits beside his dad.



The staff at the booths were quite friendly and helpful.





The student volunteers hand out bags and point the crowd to their specific destinations.


Most of them had to stand outdoors in the cold rain. I admire their diligence :)


Interested to learn viticulture? Its available at the Melb Uni Dookie campus.


In my opinion, I guess two days of Open Day would be more satisfactory to allow visitors to fully explore the campus. I reckon this open day has been a smashing success. ^^