New Student Precinct Festival
A jam-packed day of workshops, music, tours, co-creation opportunities and presentations, centred around the Project, took place on 3 October 2018.
Over 4,000 students, staff and community members engaged with the New Student Precinct Festival program of events, that provided Project updates on the work completed to date and sought inputs from attendees through tailored co-creation opportunities facilitated by Project partners, designers, students and key stakeholders.
The Festival morning session featured booked events centred on the themes of Design and Sustainability, providing attendees the unique opportunity to discuss the Project directly with those working closely on it.
It's is amazing to learn more about the construction at the University. Although I'm not studying a related subject to this Project, being able to view the construction site really interests me a lot!!! Quote from a student who participated in a Precinct site tour as part of the Festival program of events
The open lunchtime session in the 1888 Gardens kicked off with a keynote speech from Indigenous Architect and member of the Project’s design team, Jefa Greenaway, who provided an update on the Project’s Indigenous Engagement Strategy. Live performances by established musical acts Elizabeth, Alice Skye and Terry followed, setting a lively but laid-back tone while attendees enjoyed fare from two of Melbourne’s most popular food trucks or visited the many interactive stalls run by design and arts partners, students, and Project staff.
The afternoon was all about fostering creativity, with students, staff and our new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Maskell, enjoying activities centred on art, culture and design, including a tour of the outdoor artworks currently on display around the Precinct site as part of Project’s collaboration with Next Wave, Australia’s pre-eminent platform for emerging artists.
The festival was in a great location and was run very well. The food was good, the music was great, and the stalls were really interesting. Student.
To close out the day, globally renowned architects and University alumni, Julie Eizenberg and Carey Lyon shared their experience of studying at Parkville and what it is like returning to work on a significant development project at the University.
The Project Team would like to thank all those who attended, and the staff, project partners and project consultants who guaranteed the success of the day.
Festival-goers enjoyed half-price fare during the lunchtime session from two of Melbourne's favourite food trucks, Slyders on Tyres and Taco Truck. 
Festival-goers enjoyed half-price fare during the lunchtime session from two of Melbourne's favourite food trucks, Slyders on Tyres and Taco Truck 
Attendees to the lunchtime session received free Student Precinct tote bags. 
Attendees got their hands dirty, joining the Living Pavilion and University of Melbourne Community Garden in planting Indigenous native grasses that will feature in the Living Pavilion Festival happening in April 2019 on the Parkville Campus. 
Attendees got their hands dirty, joining the Living Pavilion and University of Melbourne Community Garden in planting Indigenous native grasses that will feature in the Living Pavilion Festival happening in April 2019 on the Parkville Campus. 
Wemba Wemba-Wergaia man and founder of Aboriginal Tours and Education Melbourne (A-TAEM), Dean Stewart, led attendees in a bushfoods tasting during the Lunchtime session. 
Student Precinct Sustainable Design Consultants from Aurecon, alongside University of Melbourne Researchers discussed the latest sustainable building materials being considered for use in the Student Precinct. 
Student Precinct Sustainable Design Consultants from Aurecon, alongside University of Melbourne Researchers discussed the latest sustainable building materials being considered for use in the Student Precinct. 
University of Melbourne's Chair of Architectural Design, Donald Bates, in discussion with University of Melbourne alumni and world-renowned Architects, Cary Lyon and Julie Eizenberg. 
Award-winning urban and landscape architects, Breathe Architecture, discussed and workshoped sustainability solutions that could be applied in the Precinct.