Bond University’s powerful tradition of public speaking will be reinforced this week with the official opening of a multi-purpose amphitheatre for speeches, presentations and public forums.
With a seating capacity of more than 400 and facilities including change rooms, ancillary lighting and state of the art audio/video equipment, the new amphitheatre will become a cultural and artistic venue for all Bond students, staff, alumni, family members, friends and the broader Gold Coast community.
The amphitheatre has been sponsored by ADCO Constructions and will be named the ADCO Amphitheatre.
It will be officially opened by Dr Trevor Rowe, AM, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at an event on site between 4pm and 6pm on Friday, September 25.
Bond alumni and Members of the University Council, Peta Fielding and Tom Ray will officially open the Alumni Court, which has been built adjacent to the amphitheatre.
Bond University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Stable, said the new ADCO Amphitheatre and Alumni Court would prove very valuable assets for the Bond community and the Gold Coast community as a whole.
“Public speaking is given a great deal of importance at Bond University,” said Professor Stable.
“The ability to persuasively present, perform and debate in the public arena is an extremely valuable skill in the business world and as such Bond University has incorporated public speaking into its core subjects since the University opened 20 years ago.
Professor Stable said the new amphitheatre will be used for speeches, presentations, public forums and artistic events.
He said it will become a place for community engagement and Bond University will encourage external use of the area for plays, discussions, orchestral performances and public programs by schools and community groups and organisations.
“The main beneficiaries will be the Bond community, but we also hope the wider community will embrace the facility,” said Professor Stable.
The official opening on Friday will set the scene for all future events at the ADCO Amphitheatre and the Alumni Court with guests enjoying fine wines, music provided by a string quartet and then an operatic performance to christen the new venue.
ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd has been active at Bond University for more than five years and is one of Queensland’s leading construction companies
“ADCO Constructions is a highly valued partner of the university and I would like to sincerely thank the company’s joint chairmen Bob Hill and Judith Brinsmead for their contribution,” said Professor Stable.