Work in Progress

These are currently active projects the History Unit is aware of. If they are listed here public involvement is welcome:

Bibliography of the University

A Project to identify published works about the University

Contact ouhistory@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Images of the University

A Project to idenitify defining images about the University

Contact ouhistory@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

History of the Classics Department

Emeritus Professor John Barsby is working on a history of the Classics Department, and would be interested in hearing from anyone with memories of the department prior to 1971.

Contact john.barsby@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Preventive and Social Medicine

In 2011, the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at Dunedin will be celebrating the centenary of the establishment of postgraduate education in public health in New Zealand and the establishment of a chair in public health and bacteriology. In its century of research, teaching and innovation in all aspects of public health, the Department has been enormously influential within and beyond New Zealand. We plan to celebrate the centennial year with a comprehensive and varied programme, commencing with celebrations from 4-6 March 2011. A history of the Department is being written by Senior Teaching Fellow, Dr Warwick Brunton. If you have recollections, photographs or other memorabilia you would like to share or wish to learn more about the centennial programme, please contact DeptPSM100@otago.ac.nz.

Registration of Interest Forms are available here.

Ron Chambers Autobiography

Ron Chambers has recently released his autobiography Justice and Jellybeans. In 1973, policeman Ron Chambers left the sectarian violence of Northern Ireland behind for a new life in New Zealand, where, for 21 years, he served as proctor of Otago University. His recollections form an alternative history of the university in the 80s & 90s. Capping stunts, orientation hijinks, student protests, skyrocket wars and inter-college skirmishes are all described from a proctor’s-eye view. Here the reader will meet - or perhaps remember - the Vomit Comet, the Messiah, Nick the Dick, the Flying Proctors, and Ox, among a host of colourful personalities.

Copies of the book are available via The University Bookshop. Ron has also begun a weblog which details some pieces of history which either didn't fit in the book, or which came to life since publication.

Quotes about the University

Should you know any pithy quotes about the University, and where they came from, please let us know.

Contact ouhistory@stonebow.otago.ac.nz