Celebrate 60 years of ANU Law at Lunch on the Lawns
ANU Law lawns

Traditionally a favourite spot for law students, the ANU Law lawns will welcome the Canberra community on 21 March for a day of free, festival-style fun the whole family can enjoy,

  • UPDATEThe Australian National University has decided to cancel public events and social gatherings to minimise the risk of the transmission of COVID-19 among our community and more widely. As a precautionary measure and based upon the advice from our expert panel, we will cancel all public and social events from Monday 16 March until the end of semester one, Saturday 20 June. This is a precautionary measure that we know will be disappointing for many, but our aim is to reduce opportunities for the virus to spread by limiting activity on campus without disrupting our essential teaching and research activities. Cancellation and postponement will extend to all discretionary events including ticketed and non-ticketed public events, public lectures and concerts. More information about event cancellations can be found here.

The Australian National University (ANU) College of Law is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020 with a series of events including a Lunch on the Lawns on Saturday 21 March.

Established in 1960, ANU Law has grown to become one of the world’s top law schools. Its global alumni network includes more than 21,000 members worldwide who can be found working not only as lawyers, but as agents for social change, public policy and global diplomacy.

The view from Fellows Road of the building that would become the ANU Faculty of Law in 1965. At the time, the Faculty was located at Childers Street.

From the glitz and glamour of a gala dinner to a family-friendly day of festival fun, there is something for everybody to enjoy as Australia’s national law marks its milestone.

Lawn games will offer plenty of fun for kids (and kids at heart).

Lunch on the Lawns

One of the anniversary’s signature events that is open to the Canberra community is the Lunch on the Lawns. It kicks off at 11:30am on Saturday 21 March at the College’s stunning lawns on the ANU campus.

Treat your tastebuds with the Eat Canberra food fair that includes local favourites Tikka Stand, Alex the Pizza Guy and Super Bao. There will also be live music throughout the day courtesy of local virtuosos Sophie Edwards and Jarrod Hunter.

There will be a diverse (and delectable) variety of food to sample.

Live music will be performed throughout the afternoon to entertain revellers.

Alumni are warmly invited to stroll down memory lane with guided tours of the newly renovated buildings. Revisit nostalgic sites and discover innovative additions, from the state-of-the-art moot court to the refurbished wings.

There is plenty of fun for all ages. Lawn games including Giant Jenga and Connect 4 will keep kids (and kids at heart) amused, while face-painting will add a splash of colour into the day for little ones.

Free face-painting is just one of many highlights for children.

If you’re still after some companionship of the furry, four-legged nature, there will be therapy dogs from Delta Society eager to offer a relaxing retreat in between the food and festivities.

Let’s get hypothetical

After you’ve filled your stomach, fill your mind at a stimulating hypothetical from 1.30pm to 3pm at the nearby Australian Centre on China in the World.

Moderated by former Fairfax national affairs editor and ANU Australian Studies Institute senior fellow Mark Kenny, “A tale of terrorism” brings together experts including Professor John Blaxland of the ANU Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, Jacinta Carroll of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, and Dr Dominique Dalla-Pozza of the ANU College of Law.

Join national security experts for our hypotethical from 1.30-3pm.

Join them at this interactive event as they confront a hypothetical domestic terrorist attack and explore the possible ramifications, anticipated reactions and the likely effects on the future of our society.

Gala Dinner

Later that evening anniversary festivities will take a formal turn with the 60 Years of ANU Law Gala Dinner at the National Museum of Australia. Join old classmates, lecturers and friends from the legal profession at this event that includes a pre-dinner drinks reception featuring the “60 Photos of 60 Years” exhibition – a photographic testament to the extraordinary staff, students and scholars who have shaped the College’s history over the past six decades.

The Honourable Justice Stephen Gageler (BEc ’80, LLB (Hons) ’82, HonLLD ’15) , a High Court of Australia Justice and ANU Law alumnus, will preside as guest speaker at the event sponsored by Chamberlain’s Law Firm, Aulich and the Attorney-General’s Department.

Relive some of your favourite ANU Law memories, like the success of the 1981 Jessup moot team (above), at our photo exhibiton.


For more information and to register for these events, visit law.anu.edu.au/sixtyyears

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