Community
By the end of the 1960s there were more than fifty student organisations at the ANU, representing a variety of cultural, academic, political, recreational and sporting interests. These groups, along with others like residential colleges and student associations have helped students, often new to university study and/or to Canberra, to connect with other students and feel a sense of belonging.
Orientation Week and Bush Week have been focal points for campus events and activities. Ron Colman, the director of O-Week 1969 said that it was designed "to get you into the habit of giving everything you've got, of developing all sides of your character and making this university the vital, lively place it should be".
Bush Week began in the 1960s as a mid-winter tradition to raise money for charity, to bring the city to the bush, and to give students something to do in winter. It featured races, outings, performances and other events, including train trips to Tarago, rodeos, screenings of early Australian films, treasure hunts up Black Mountain, processions through Civic, wood-chopping competitions, the Bush Week ball, and a notorious scavenger hunt.
References
Foster, S & Varghese, M, The Making of The Australian National University, 2009, Australian National University Press, Canberra, <http://doi.org/10.22459/MANU.08.2009>
Student raiders grab Dobells. Canberra Times, 31 Jul 1965, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105763729>
