The renowned La Trobe Bundoora campus grounds are the backdrop for the La Trobe Lawn Lunch, an extraordinary afternoon program that champions the University’s history and cultural diversity through music, film, food, drinks and author conversations.
On Sunday 5 March 2017, La Trobe University kicks off its 50th anniversary celebrations with the La Trobe Lawn Lunch. The renowned La Trobe Bundoora campus grounds are the backdrop for an extraordinary afternoon program that champions the University’s history and cultural diversity through music, film, food, drinks and author conversations.
Most importantly, the La Trobe Lawn Lunch is a chance for all people to visit and connect with the University and catch up with old friends, colleagues and staff to reminisce about their time at La Trobe.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said “La Trobe University holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Melbournians and people across regional Victoria. We are delighted to welcome back so many of our former students, staff and friends of the University for this special Lawn Lunch that will celebrate our achievements over the last 50 years and give us all the chance to catch up with old friends.”
In the spirit of La Trobe’s social inclusion ethos, the Lawn Lunch is open to everyone – the tickets include food from one of the nine social enterprise catering partners and a glass of beer, wine or soft drink on entry; a La Trobe memorabilia bag; as well as access to an outstanding line-up of film, music and talks from some of the people that have made La Trobe special.
Food will be provided by La Trobe’s social enterprise catering partners who have a connection to the University. These include Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Lentil As Anything, Free to Feed, Friends of Refugees, Tamil Feasts, Charcoal Lane, Sorghum Sisters, Open Table and Cultural Catering.
“It’s important for us to be able to support our social enterprise catering partners as part of our anniversary celebrations. Every ticket to the Lawn Lunch will support these organisations and their vital work. It’s just one way that our 50th anniversary celebrations align with the La Trobe spirit of making a positive difference in the world,” said Professor Dewar.
Wine and beer will be supplied by some of the University’s alumni who have gone on to establish some of the finest wineries and breweries, including MoFro Wines, Vinea Marson, Panton Hill Winery, Otway Estate, Moon Dog Brewing, Napoleone Brewers, Valhalla Brewing and Castlemaine Brewing.
At the Lawn Lunch, all drinks will be available at pop up bars that have been specially crafted from recycled pallets and custom-built by participants in La Trobe’s LifeSkills program at the Bundoora campus, which gives people with a disability the opportunity to undertake meaningful work.
The music stage at the Lawn Lunch will feature a stunning line-up of some of Australia’s finest talent, including Xylouris White – the captivating duo of Dirty Three drummer Jim White and Cretan lute player George Xylouris; R&B indie darlings – The Harpoons; a reunion concert from the critically acclaimed post-rock instrumental band – This is Your Captain Speaking; and Melbourne’s own comedy folk duo – The Astruds.
The afternoon will also include historical shorts from the La Trobe archives and film screenings connected to the University’s pioneering cinema studies department and film makers – these include Beginnings (1971) co-directed by Rod Bishop; the low budget classic Australian film Yakkety Yak (1974), written and featuring Dave Jones; and the Mexico ’75 documentary about the International Women's Year conference in Mexico City in 1975 directed by Patricia Edgar.
There will be a Speaker’s Corner that will include an afternoon of conversations, including the launch of the University’s new book From the paddock to the Agora – Fifty years of La Trobe University that features commissioned essays by some of La Trobe’s most celebrated staff and alumni – Don Watson, Clare Wright, Robert Manne, Dennis Altman, Marilyn Anderson and Penny Davies.
From the paddock to the Agora – Fifty years of La Trobe University will be the first release published by the La Trobe University Press – a new publishing partnership between the University and Black Inc.
As part of the book launch at the La Trobe Lawn Lunch, ABC Radio National’s Fran Kelly, who spent time at La Trobe as the student activities officer, will lead a discussion with some of the authors.
Throughout the afternoon there will be an In Conversation series with some of our esteemed academic thinkers, including Rod Bishop – one of Australia’s most revered film makers discussing his career (including being Director of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School) and his ground-breaking film Beginnings; and there will be 3 Minute Thesis summaries about the latest research coming out of La Trobe from some of the University’s most talented PhD students.
“Few universities can match La Trobe’s record of making higher education accessible to everyone at the same time as producing some of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals and undertaking world-class research. For half a century, La Trobe has produced some of the country’s most progressive thinkers, and at the Lawn Lunch we’re very proud to showcase some of the groundbreaking researchers, filmmakers, musicians and winemakers that got their start at La Trobe.”
“La Trobe also has a well-deserved reputation for being at the epicentre of Melbourne’s vibrant social, cultural and political life. The Lawn Lunch will demonstrate why,” said Professor Dewar.
La Trobe Lawn Lunch
Sunday 5 March 2017
Noon – 5pm
Academic Lawn, La Trobe University, Bundoora
$20 General admission and $10 Concession
50years.latrobe/lawn-lunch/
Media Contact - Anastasia Salamastrakis - 0428 195 464
