Every September since 1969, Macquarie University has hosted an extravagant party to celebrate its beginning. Falling on 21 September this year, Conception Day has

Back to basics: chiropractic students bare all as they scale for higher grades - Conception Day 1996

traditionally given students the chance to enjoy themselves before the mid-semester break. A cocktail of rides, market stalls, cultural activities, along with the live music of bands and disc jockeys, have been the setting for party goers to lose their inhibitions.

Since 1978, afternoon classes on this final day of university have been cancelled, possibly to spare party mad students from having to deliver tutorial presentations.

There are various stories about where Conception Day derived its name.

Originally, Macquarie University's Union (now known as SAM) wanted to hold a day of celebration to commemorate the opening of Macquarie University. However, this day and the birth of Governor Macquarie both occurred during the middle of the holidays. To solve this dilemma, a day was chosen nine months before Governor Macquarie's birth. This date, which occurred in the middle of the semester, was Governor Macquarie's conception. To this day it has been etched into Macquarie University folklore.

Idealistic students trying to save the world - Conception Day 1977

Last year, 6,000 revellers took part in Conception Day celebrations. In 2001, Macquarie students will once again have a day to get rowdy and artistically express themselves. On 21 September, the festive atmosphere will begin late in the morning and come nightfall, it will end with a bang courtesy of a spectacular fireworks display. That's the university spirit!

 

 

 

 

 

The slippery side of university life - Conception Day 1977	A wet and wild party - a student grabbed the sprinkler system at a Spiderbait concert and the result was a washout - Conception Day 1996