My time at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) began in February 1989, although it was then the Tasmanian State Institute of Technology (TSIT), at Newnham, Launceston.

I studied a Bachelor of Arts (BA), which was a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies when I enrolled. My chosen subjects included Geography and History (majors, studied for three years each), English (sub-major, two years) and, the relatively new at the time, Aboriginal Studies (elective, one year). My subjects were enjoyable, albeit at times stressful, and my lecturers inspirational, and to this day I continue to have a love for my subjects undertaken.

Academic life on campus consisted of a mixture of lectures, tutorials (tutes), practicals (pracs) and exams. Most of my units were studied internally, but distance education was offered for many subjects, particularly in the BA degree. The University of Tasmania had an agreement with the University of New England, in Armidale, NSW, and I was able to study one of my units, Geography 6, Natural Hazards, externally through there, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Another unit, History 6a, Local History, with Dr Dan Huon Coward, now Dr Dan Huon, was studied externally through the University of Tasmania, and included three Saturday study meets. It was fascinating to do an in depth essay on where I lived, even more so as I was able to incorporate my grandfather’s memories into it.

Excursions were part of academic life, too, for some Geography units. In October 1989, on Launceston Show Day, we went to Badger and West Heads, in Tasmania’s north. This was part of Dr Peter Hansen’s Geography 2, Physical Geography unit, where we studied the rocks and erosion, took lots of photos for our essays, and had to walk the very long stretch of Badger Beach linking both heads, in mostly rainy weather! Thanks to my friend, Joanna, sharing her umbrella, along with my raincoat, I remained quite dry, while others were not so lucky. There was another excursion in 1991, for Geography 5, Natural Geomorphology, with Dr Paul Augustinus. This time we went to the Relbia region, just south of Launceston, to study the soil and landslides. Thankfully, this was on a sunny, autumn Sunday!

Unfortunately, HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme), now HELP (Higher Education Loan Programme), began in my first year. All full-time university students were charged $900 per semester and part-timers a pro-rata amount. The majority deferred payment, which then became their HECS debt. This was to be repaid after graduation, through the taxation system, once their income reached a certain level. Although no interest is added to the outstanding debt, it increases on 1 June each year, in line with inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Voluntary repayments are welcome and if the debt is paid in full, a bonus credit is applied, resulting in the amount needing to be paid being decreased.

In 1990 the Newnham campus, which was the only Launceston one at the time, expanded considerably in land and building size. The adjoining former Brooks High School site became part of the then TSIT, after the school moved to Rocherlea. I remember sitting my History 2, Modern European History, exam in the former Brooks gymnasium complete with stage, in November 1990.

Part way through my degree the TSIT amalgamated with the University of Tasmania, in Hobart. On 1 January 1991 the new institution became known as the University of Tasmania. The name was the focus of much discussion at the time and I had my opinion on this published in The Examiner newspaper. (Examiner, 24 February 1990, p 14).

After amalgamation there were a few noticeable changes. I remember semesters were shortened from 15 to 14 weeks, as were mid-semester breaks, which went from five to three weeks, academic marks decreased by five per cent for credits (65%–60%), distinctions (75%-70%) and high distinctions (85%-80%) and Faculties and Associate Professors were introduced. Also, University of Tasmania memorabilia were available for sale and I became a little addicted to collecting the various items! Everything from key rings to polo shirts emblazoned with the crest/logo was sold at the Student Association (SA), now the Tasmania University Union (TUU). SA membership was then compulsory and fees had to be paid at the beginning of each year.

Graduation ceremonies were held in the year following course completion. Mine was on Saturday, 16 April 1994, at 10:30am, one of three, that weekend. Sadly, there was no Town and Gown Parade then. The ceremony was held at Launceston’s Albert Hall and was a magical day, full of pomp and ceremony. It was lovely to celebrate the completion of years of study and sacrifice with family, with each graduand being allocated two free tickets. I remember enjoying, along with most of the audience, Emeritus Professor Coleman O’Flaherty’s humorous and inspiring occasional address. Free programmes with the graduates names were distributed to all attending and the day following the ceremonies all the names were published in The Examiner and The Sunday Examiner. Southern Cross News covered the event and I was briefly featured in their report, on Saturday evening. At the end of the ceremony all the graduates marched in a procession out of the hall. Refreshments were served in the adjoining City Park, on a perfect autumn afternoon. The day was extra special for me, as I shared it with my sister, Madeleine, who was admitted to a Bachelor of Education degree, at the same ceremony.

Academic gowns were worn by nearly everyone who graduated. Bachelors also wore a hood with the edge lined in a thick satin ribbon in their discipline colour. Mine was dark blue. Most people hired them from the SA, but I bought my own, to have as a keepsake. Unfortunately, mortar boards/trencher caps were not worn for the ceremony, although they were for the official photographs.

Even after the passing of many years, I often reflect fondly upon my time at the University of Tasmania and am glad I was able to turn my dream of attending university into reality.

About the author: Louise-Anne graduated with a BA (1993), after obtaining a Certificate in Fashion Design and Most Outstanding Student Award (1988).  She has had writing published, worked in the innovative at-home call centre environment and contributed Australian word usage to The Oxford Dictionary. Her degree is used in, and enriches, most aspects of her life.