UOW Ceremonial Gowns History

UOW Ceremonial Gowns History

Exhibition

December, 2012
Panizzi Gallery, UOW Library

In December 2012, coinciding with the Graduation ceremonies of that year, five ceremonial gowns and an Honorary gown worn by past Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors were on display in the University Library's Panizzi Room, alongside historical photographs and film footage from the University Archives collection.

History of Academic Dress

Ceremonial or academic dress dates back to medieval times, and the oldest universities in Europe. The masters and scholars in these institutions were typically members of the medieval clergy, so they wore ecclesiastical versions of the ordinary everyday clothes of that era. The official dress worn at graduation and many other formal occasions at modern universities is originally derived from this early style of dress.

Many universities in Australia and other Commonwealth countries, including the University of Wollongong, have modelled aspects of their ceremonial and academic dress and their practices on the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

View exhibition photographs or read media coverage of the launch.

Historical Footage

The Chancellor was officially presented with his gown during the 1976 ‘Ceremony of Installation’ and Graduation, held on stage in the impressive surroundings of the Wollongong Town Hall. This was the first ceremony at which students graduated from the autonomous University of Wollongong. The Vice-Chancellor’s gown made its first appearance at the following year’s ceremony. 

This video includes footage from the 1976 and 1979 graduation ceremonies - held at Wollongong Town Hall and the University Hall respectively - including UOW's Foundation Chancellor receiving his ceremonial gown.

Archival images   Historical timeline