Author: Richard Morgan

It is not surprising that the enthusiasm for celebrating gender equality and embracing diversity has been so strong at the College since the first women enrolled in Graduate House in 2018 and the first women undergrads began only weeks ago. On the eve of IWD the undergraduate community gathered for its IWD Dinner with guest of honour, Belinda Hutchinson AC, Chancellor of the University. The Chancellor spoke about the University of Sydney being one of the first universities in the world to admit women to degree programs (1881) and, that over her 10 years as Chancellor, how the number of women professors and senior leaders at Sydney had significantly increased – with more work to be done.

Over the summer break a big project for the College was a renovation of a tired old Sals. The need to bring the bar up to modern compliance standards necessitated a complete refit of the Salisbury and now the College boasts a 7am – 3pm café and 7:30pm – 10:30pm bar during the week.

The refurbishment features a styled bar area with refined cabinetry and new benchtops but retains the unique sandstone finish of the walls of the original boiler rooms (the bar area) and the 1860s staff parlour (the café). Outside a new bar and patrons’ area is protected by a modern sail cloth roof juxtaposing the grand heritage walls of the Blacket exterior. The paving throughout has been up-graded and fixed and all aspects of this licenced space now meet all compliance standards. It means the Salisbury can continue to trade as a public bar, and is open as a venue for students most days and nights of the week, including the popular Wednesday nights.