Open Day 2016
With a forecast wet and windy day ahead, visitors still came from far and wide to reach Melbourne University for Open Day on Sunday. Volunteers were clad in waterproof ponchos and blue and grey hoodies dawdled along Monash Rd and South Lawn handing out maps, jellybeans and various other blue and white freebies. (In the past the University has supplied stark white-on-blue bomber jackets, but perhaps the hoodies proved more appropriate in the inclement weather.)
The wet weather was not enough to keep the crowds at bay, as masses of prospective students donned white canvas Uni Melb bags with brochures and optimism for the future. The atmosphere was teaming with activity; live bands played upon South Lawn, robots were exhibited in the Engineering School, food tents attracted extensive lines, volcanoes erupted in Macfarland Court and Shakespeare performed at Arts West. With the activity not ending there, shuttlebuses ran back and forth between Parkville and Southbank campuses, moving the mass of international and domestic students excitedly joining the experience and life of Melbourne.
University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor Glyn Davis commended staff and student volunteers in an all-staff email. Davis cited “interest in graduate degrees along with the traditional focus on those soon leaving school” as a “distinctive” feature of Melbourne’s Open Day compared to those of other Victorian universities.
With a #uomopenday hashtag circulating, social media coverage took upon the act of spreading fomo amongst people who were not at open day, including sharing the unveiling of a 2,000-year-old mummy through 3D printing and forensic sculpture.
Whilst the wet weather was not in our favour this year, much to our dismay, Monash Open Day (held 2 weeks prior) contrasted with Melbourne’s weather, seeing sunny blue skies.
Families, students, parents and friends far and wide were able to come together and experience the culture and tradition of Melbourne, with many citing it an unforgettable experience and great day to making a big decision in respects to their future.