No, Autonomy Day hasn’t been cancelled, so Owen Harvey details what’s going on during UON’s Festival of Autonomy in its 50^th year

Silent Disco Tours (Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th)

Have you properly checked out everything around the uni in your time here? Have you done it while listening to certified bangers? If these activities are of interest to you, be sure to come along on a free(!) silent disco tour. From 12 to 2pm, half-hour tours will take you around campus and show you the sights while blasting sick tunes through wireless headphones. Be sure to get in quick for the chance to dance and look at some super-interesting, historic landmarks.

Morning Rave (Wednesday 5^th)

Returning to Bar on the Hill is the morning rave. From 7:30 to 10am, get your day started with an invigorating dance extravaganza. There’ll be a DJ, there’ll be lasers, there’ll be fluoro costumes, there’ll be coffee. Definitely a good way to get back into a schedule of early mornings. Also free!

Great China Walk Student Fundraising BBQ (Wednesday 5^th)

As a part of its 50^th anniversary celebrations, UON are raising funds for the Shaping Futures scholarship which supports disadvantaged students. The UON Student Giving Committee is hosting a BBQ to support current student Annie Nichols in her 50km walk of the Great Wall of China, so go to the Auchmuty courtyard to help out and grab a tasty sausage sanga for lunch. Annie’s fundraising page is also located here.

National Campus Band Comp: Heat 1 (Wednesday 5^th)

Some of UON’s best bands will be competing to rep the uni at State and possibly National finals. So get along and support your local future talent! You never know if the “next big thing” in Aussie music will be playing the stage. Starts at 7pm, with free entry. More deets at www.newcastle.edu.au/band-comp-entry, plus if you’re looking to enter, be sure to do so by July 31.

Auchmuty 500 Billy Cart Races (Friday 7^th)

If you have a need for speed, the annual billy cart races will be going on from 9:30am. Great to participate in whether you want to test your mechanical prowess, racing skills or just want to see people go really really fast. A big ol’ trophy awaits the team that is triumphant. Entry is free (if you can believe it), so grease your wheels and check out details ‘n’ rules on the entry form here.

Autonomy Day Party (Friday 7^th)

And now the main event. When men and women arise at the crack of dawn to make merry and celebrate their independence from a distant, evil institution (note: may be slightly embellished). Many a brave soul over the last half-century has faced Autonomy Day with sprightful, fervent vigour for a great time. Hopefully you too can make it to celebrate with activities, inflatables, live music, DJs, food, drinks, relaxation areas, the list goes on. Bar on the Hill opens at 7am with a free brekky, and free carnival fun on the oval from 9am. The party will be raging until 4pm. Remember your ID and student card; $10 entry to the bar for students, $20 for guests.

Wow, I can hardly wait. And I didn’t even mention the photo galleries at the library. Share this post with yo friends, and be sure to tag your various social media posts with #yaklife and you may just get a sneaky regram. Student Central will be sharing more info on these shenanigans via their Facebook page.

Feature image: Matt Hudson