Ceremonies

University Chair

A gift from the Wagga Wagga City Council

The University chairs used for ceremonial occasions, including graduations, and investitures, held in Australia were designed by Mr David Upfill-Brown who is also the creator of well known pieces of ceremonial furniture including the Speaker's chair in the House of Representatives in the Federal Parliament of Australia in Canberra. He also developed the concept and crafted the three ceremonial chairs which complement the University Lectern, from Tasmanian Blackwood. The Chancellor's chair is embellished with a carved representation of the Sturt Desert Pea which is also incorporated into the finials of the backrest.

University Gowns

The history of ceremonial and academic dress reaches back to the days of the world's oldest universities. As universities and colleges developed throughout the Commonwealth of Nations they mostly chose academic dress modeled on those established for the members of Oxford and Cambridge. When they were established, in the early 1970's, both of the University's immediate predecessor institutions chose to follow this tradition. The University continues this practice.  The rules governing ceremonial dress are set out in the Ceremonial Dress Policy and the rules governing academic dress are set out in the Graduation Regulations.

Chancellor's Gown

The Chancellor's Gown and Trencher are similar to those worn by the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The Chancellor wears a black damask gown with ten metallic 48 millimetre gold oak-leaf bands on the sleeve with a 70mm wide gold silk band lined with 15mm gold oak-leaf on both sides exists on the front facing. The collar, bottom edge of the gown, sleeves and rear vent are also lined with gold oak-leaf. On his or her head, the Chancellor wears a black mortarboard with gold oak-leaf on base and a gold tassel. The original Chancellor's gown was a gift from the City of Albury.

Deputy Chancellor's Gown

The Deputy Chancellor wears a black damask gown with five metallic 48 millimetre gold oak-leaf bands on the sleeve. A 70mm wide red satin (Pantone 199) band lined with 15 millimetre oak-leaf on both sides exists on the front facing. The collar, bottom edge of the gown, sleeves and rear vent are also lined with gold oak-leaf banding. On his or her head, the Deputy Chancellor wears a black mortarboard with gold oak-leaf on base and a gold tassel.

Pro Chancellor's Gown

The Pro Chancellor wears a black damask gown with metallic 48 millimetre gold oak-leaf bands at the arm opening, top and bottom of the sleeve. A 70 millimetre wide red (Pantone 199) satin on the front facing.  The collar, bottom edge of the gown, sleeves and rear vent are also lined with gold oak-leaf banding. On his or her head, the Pro Chancellor wears a black mortarboard with gold oak-leaf on base and a gold tassel.

Vice-Chancellor's Gown

The Vice-Chancellor wears a black damask gown with ten metallic 48mm gold oak-leaf bands on the sleeve. The front facing, the collar, the bottom edge of the gown, the sleeves and the rear vent are all lined with gold oak-leaf. On his or her head, the Vice-Chancellor wears a black mortarboard with gold oak-leaf on base and a gold tassel.

Council Gown

Members of the Council of the University wear a black gown manufactured to the same pattern as graduates holding a degree of Master. About the neck, he or she wears a stole of bright red corded fabric (Pantone 199) consisting of two tails each one and a half metres long and 10 centimetres wide, fixed to a collar having the dimensions 33 centimetres wide and 20 centimetres deep, having square corners at the back of the neck. The stole is embroidered with the Coat of Arms, in full colour, on both tails at chest height. It is worn showing colour on both sides. On his or her head, the Council member will wear a black mortarboard and a black tassel.

University Secretary's Gown

The University Secretary wears a black gown manufactured to the same pattern as graduates holding a degree of Master. About the neck, the University Secretary wears a stole of black damask fabric consisting of two tails each one and a half metres long and 10 centimetres wide, fixed to a collar having the dimensions 33 centimetres wide and 20 centimetres deep, having square corners at the back of the neck and lined with 15 millimetre oak-leaf on both sides exists on the front facing. The Coat of Arms is embroidered on both tails in gold metallic thread at chest height. On his or her head, the University Secretary wears a black mortarboard and a black tassel.

Head of Campus and Provost Gown

Heads of Campus and Provosts wear a black gown manufactured to the same pattern as graduates holding a degree of Master. About his or her neck, the Head of Campus or Provost wears a stole of blue corded fabric (Pantone 286) consisting of two tails each one and a half metres long and 10 cm wide, fixed to a collar having the dimensions 33 centimetres wide and 20 centimetres deep, having square corners at the back of the neck. The stole is embroidered with the Coat of Arms, in full colour, on both tails at chest height. It is worn showing colour on both sides. On his or her head, the Head of Campus or Provost wears a black mortarboard and a black tassel.

Academic Gowns

The academic gowns and colours of Charles Sturt University are set out in the academic dress regulations.

More about CSU Academic dress regulations

View Images and details of the gowns and colours

University Lectern

A gift from Bathurst Regional Council

During ceremonies the Chancellor's mace rests on the stand incorporated into a lectern from which the Chancellor addresses the congregation. The principal lectern and further two lecterns were crafted in Tasmanian blackwood by Mr David Upfill-Brown.

University Mace

A gift from the University of New South Wales

The mace is a symbol of the dignity and authority of a university. Before assuming this ceremonial function the mace was a weapon carried in battle by medieval knights and warlike bishops and was later carried as protection for royalty. The Chancellor's mace is carried by the Esquire Bedell who precedes the Chancellor in all official processions.

The mace is constructed in sterling silver, Perspex??? and anodised aluminium. The centre shaft is Perspex??? and carries a sterling silver head and tail. The silver bands each carry a coloured band representing the disciplines currently taught at the University. The mace was designed and created by Mr Chris Mullins, a lecturer in Silversmithing at the University.

University Message Stick

A gift from Dubbo City Council

This wooden message stick draws on the elements of local indigenous culture to represent the entire Wiradjuri nation whose borders encompass the University's Australian campuses at Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Young and old emu feathers, which hang from the mulga wood message stick, denote students of all ages. A possum painting represents the local Wilay Wiradjuri people and red ochre lines depict the Macquarie, Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers on which the CSU Campuses are located.