Established in 2021, the UQ Philanthropy Trail offers fascinating insights into the individuals and groups whose generosity has had a transformative impact on UQ. Designed to provide permanent recognition of their philanthropy, the full trail features around 50 sites across Queensland.
Visit UQ’s St Lucia Campus this Open House weekend, to explore 11 of the sites. Enjoy exploring hidden campus histories and learning the stories behind named campus buildings, facilities and features, around the iconic heritage-listed Great Court.
As numbers grew the University began to look for a larger campus. The government-appointed architects, Hennessy, Hennessy & Co, developed a plan for a “great semi-circular quadrangle around which the various buildings are arranged, all connected by means of an arcade, enabling students to reach any portion whatsoever”.
The architects, aiming to be “original in conception, monumental in design and embodying the Australia spirit of art with English culture”, created the Great Court, a modern take on the traditional quadrangles of monasteries and universities throughout the world, especially Britain. The new structure would be in Helidon stone from a quarry near Toowoomba.
To enhance the “monumental design” we see today, the architects called for extensive sculptural adornment of the walls and columns, with friezes, statues, inscriptions and low-relief carvings to be installed around the 2.27-hectare site.
VIEW UQ Philanthropy Trail map
Tour Information
Additional Activities
Food & Beverage, Patina Restaurant and Merlo Cafe are open on Saturday
Wheelchair access
Yes
Is Heritage listed
Yes