LUMEN Winter 2019 - Flipbook - Page 23
“This is just the start of a broader plan to
reinvigorate the Union House precinct,
which is such an important part of the
University’s history.”
A new chapter
Enter General Admission Entertainment (GAE).
In late March, tasked with introducing a
new-look UniBar, the new operators took
over a revitalised Union House space.
Replacing the former venue of the same name,
General Admission’s UniBar once again saw
students, staff and community members spilling
out into the historic Cloisters.
“When I envisaged what going to university was
like, this is what it was like,” said GAE's
Kim Littler.
“We grew up watching films and TV shows
that depict university life in a sandstone
university. This building is also heritage listed,
it’s gorgeous.
“For us, having the bar here means that people
can spill out into The Cloisters on beautiful
balmy days and use the lawns.”
The new venue reignited a sleeping area of
campus, with the new owners recognising the
strong link between the UniBar brand, the
Union House precinct, and the University’s
cultural engagement.
“It’s about creating a community and giving
people a safe, fun place to hang out,”
explained Kim.
“Each of us individually have some affiliation
and some history with this university, whether it
be through going to gigs at the UniBar or
attending the University,” added GAE
Co-Director Aaron Sandow.
“It’s not that we’re looking back and
romanticising something that wasn’t there,” said
Kim.“We’re looking forward but being mindful
of what’s come before us and trying to
complement that and also complement the
new space.”
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