How to get 130 feet of carpet to the top level of the Science Building
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In 1987 Deakin was just 10 years old and, despite numerous setbacks and obstacles in its infancy, the University had thrived. It was now entering a new phase with different challenges.
These challenges were identified by Deakin’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Jevons, who stated on his final year at the University in 1985, ‘We really need to consolidate what we have already got. But we must also keep on innovating, otherwise the institution goes stale. Nurse education will be an exciting new development.’
Consolidation of all University activities at the Waurn Ponds campus and an expanding number of programs marked Deakin as a maturing university. Such developments had put pressure on campus infrastructure and Deakin had responded with new and impressive buildings and a masterplan intended to transform the campus with lakes, forests and gardens.
But grand plans aside, the ‘making do’ spirit – so characteristic of Deakin’s pioneering early days – also helped Deakin accommodate growth.
In 1987 the Sciences building was given a fourth floor to cater for the incoming School of Nursing, which was due to commence operations in 1988. Nursing was to occupy the ground floor and, to make space, existing occupants were dispersed to new locations throughout the building.
The fourth floor was completed in September 1987 and was to be the home of the Computer and Mathematics Division as well as some Psychology staff.
Furnishing the new fourth floor included the laying of carpet. As any carpet installer will tell you, visible seams are often the difference between an ordinary carpet installation and a masterpiece.
Deakin staff attuned to doing things properly rose to the challenge by installing a 130-foot roll of carpet in one piece.
Photographs from Deakin Archives tell the story.
The task of refurbishment was completed on time and the School of Nursing was opened on 4 March 1988.
The Opening of the School of Nursing, from left: Mr Geoff Vines, Deputy Chancellor, the Hon. Mr. David White, State Minister for Health and Vice Chancellor, Professor Malcolm Skilbeck
In recalling the establishment of Deakin, Fred Jevons said, ‘the battles and struggles did not end but the tremendous pioneering spirit within the University helped to overcome many odds.’
These are the qualities seen in the Computing and Mathematics staff who rolled up their sleeves and, showing the type of teamwork and innovation that would have made Fred Jevons proud, achieved a seamless result on the fourth level of the Sciences building.
– By Antony Catrice, University Archivist
Originally published on Network, the Deakin staff blog