Lighting the flame for UNSW Law

31 October 2005

The Hon Justice James Spigelman, Chief Justice of NSW, spoke at a 'Lighting of the Flame' ceremony last week to celebrate a milestone in the construction of the University's new Law building.

Justice Spigelman reflected on the transformation the Faculty of Law had undergone since it began in 1971.

The 'Lighting of the Flame' ceremony took place in the Agora area of the new building, located on level one. Dean of Law Professor Leon Trakman invited Founding Law Dean, Hal Wootten, Law Alumni President, Gabrielle Upton, and Student Law Society President, Eugene Yeung to light the flame, representing past, present and future hopes for the Faculty of Law.

A tour of the construction site provided staff and visitors with a view of the light filled atria, staircases and distinctive design concepts now visible in the concrete framework of the new building.

The event also marked the official launch of the Law Endowment Campaign, which will focus on staged partnering with key corporations and individuals.

"The campaign to establish a Law Endowment Fund of 10 million dollars is vital to the future success of our institution," said Dean of Law, Professor Leon Trakman.

The Chancellor, Mr David Gonski, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Wainwright, and Campaign Chair Mr Richard Alcock also spoke at the event, which was attended by faculty staff and other members of the UNSW community.

The construction of the new building is currently ahead of schedule, with a completion date now targeted for 24 July 2006.

Updates on the construction of the building are available at www.law.unsw.edu.au/newbuilding/index.asp