Bond University, The Beginning 1985-1991, B. Orr, Branxton Press, 1991

Abstract

Bond University is history. Not in the way many predicted, but as subject matter for a book: ’Bond University, The Beginning 1985-1991’, written by Brian Orr. This book review is available in Bond Law Review: http://epublications.bond.edu.au/blr/vol3/iss1/9 BOND UNIVERSITY: THE BEGINNING B. Orr, Branxton Press 1991.147 and xi pages Book Reviews by William Van Caenegem Assistant Professor of Law Bond University Bond University is history. Not in the way many predicted, but as subject matter for a book: ’Bond University, The Beginning 1985-1991’, written by Brian Orr. As project manager, Mr Orr has been at the centre of the development of the University right from the start. Not only closely involved with drawing plans, digging holes, and pouting concrete, he took part in deliberations on most other aspects of establishing the University. This goes from early staff selections, to decisions about the legal structure of the joint venture and public presentations of the concept. Therefore this book presumably the first of a series is thoroughly comprehensive and always well informed. By all accounts the project was never easy to run. But for Mr Orr working with a group of motivated and enthusiastic people obviously had its rewards. The book traces the evolution from the days when there was lots of money to spend, and the problems were more in the nature of controlling excesses of enthusiasm, to union and press opposition, and to the days of Bond Corporation’s financial woes. The account reveals that it was touch and go that the University in the end did start up and has been, to some extent, completed. One of the more hilarious passages in this otherwise rather deadpan book reveals how successive failures to pass fire inspections nearly locked the first intake of students out of the buildings. Indeed, the reader is left with an abiding sense that the University was finished in the nick of time, and against considerable odds. Had the recession, Bond’s woes and the real estate slump come just a little earlier, plans would probably have remained plans. Mr Orr, despite of his interest in the law, remains a property developer at heart. That shows in the book which reveals how quick and efficient work on the buildings carded the University project as a whole. Indeed, early defenders of Bond knew one argument would hardly ever fail to convince sceptics of the University’s long term survival chances: come and see the campus for yourself. Mr Orr is probably the only man in Australia who could deliver a made to measure university anywhere, anytime. But this book could help you well on your way to doing it yourself. The appendices contain many plans and