1950–1960

Welcome to the fifth instalment of '11 Decades in 11 Weeks at UQ'. In this series, Contact heads to the archives to bring you the best images from the past 110 years. This week, we look back on 1950–1960.


An image of students browsing the card catalogue in Main Library at St Lucia in 1950.

Students browsing the card catalogue in the Main Library at St Lucia in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Students browsing the card catalogue in the Main Library at St Lucia in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Harrison Bryan at the charging counter in the Main Library in 1950.

Harrison Bryan at the charging counter in the Main Library in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Harrison Bryan at the charging counter in the Main Library in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Professor SF Lumb receiving his certificate admitting him as a Dental Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons from Professor Bradlaw in 1950.

Professor SF Lumb receiving his certificate admitting him as a Dental Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons from Professor Bradlaw in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Professor SF Lumb receiving his certificate admitting him as a Dental Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons from Professor Bradlaw in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of students on the ground-floor reading room of the Main Library in 1950.

Students on the ground-floor reading room of the Main Library in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Students on the ground-floor reading room of the Main Library in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of UQ and the St Lucia Bowling Club featured on the front of a Christmas Card in 1950.

UQ and the St Lucia Bowling Club feature on the front of a Christmas Card in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

UQ and the St Lucia Bowling Club feature on the front of a Christmas Card in 1950. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of the intervarsity Queensland hockey team after winning the Syme Cup in 1953.

The Intervarsity Queensland Hockey team after winning the Syme Cup in 1953. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The Intervarsity Queensland Hockey team after winning the Syme Cup in 1953. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of the Forgan Smith building in 1954.

The Forgan Smith building in 1954. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

The Forgan Smith building in 1954. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of English actress Dame Sybil Thorndike opening the JJ Stable Tree Theatre in 1954.

English actress Dame Sybil Thorndike opening the JJ Stable Tree Theatre in 1954. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

English actress Dame Sybil Thorndike opening the JJ Stable Tree Theatre in 1954. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of people looking at a student's architectural model in UQ's Department of Architecture in 1955.

People looking at a student's architectural model in UQ's Department of Architecture in 1955. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

People looking at a student's architectural model in UQ's Department of Architecture in 1955. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of a staff member at the UQ Department of Architecture enquiring counter in 1955.

A staff member at the UQ Department of Architecture enquiring counter in 1955. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

A staff member at the UQ Department of Architecture enquiring counter in 1955. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

An image of Princess Alexandra on the steps of the Forgan Smith building during her visit to UQ in 1959.

Princess Alexandra on the steps of the Forgan Smith building during her visit to UQ in 1959. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection

Princess Alexandra on the steps of the Forgan Smith building during her visit to UQ in 1959. Image: Fryer Library University of Queensland Photograph Collection


Keep checking the Contact website next week to catch the next instalment of the '11 Decades in 11 Weeks at UQ' series, when we look back on 1960–1970.

Do you recognise anyone in these photos?

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