2011 University Of New England Open Day

Organisers of the University of New England’s Life at Altitude festival are hoping local interest in the Open Day event will "take off", following the unveiling of massive billboards on the northern and southern entrances to Armidale. The billboards feature striking artwork of winged University students and encourage passers-by to "Help launch something truly amazing: you." The billboards are part of a campaign to raise awareness Life at Altitude’s University Open Day among the local community.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the UNE campus between May 6-8 for three days of "live music, gourmet food and heaps of free entertainment," according to Arran Airs, the marketing manager at the University of New England.

"This is an event that is about getting people to engage with the university, but is also designed to showcase the very best that our region as to offer," Mr Airs said.

The Open Day event will include academic advisory sessions and campus tours in addition to music and entertainment.

"It’s about extending the traditional University Open Day concept," Mr Airs said, adding that he was particularly excited about the lineup of well-known and up-and-coming Australian music acts that are slated to perform. "Our headline act is Little Red, who have had massive play on Triple J," he said, adding that Little Red’s single ‘Rock It’ was Number 2 inTriple J’s Hottest 100 of 2010.

Other bands to perform at Life at Altitude include Children Collide, Amy Meredith and the Seabellies, returning after a very popular performance at last year’s UNE Open Day. Other events over the weekend would include a short film festival and a "long lunch", Mr Airs said.

Festival and Open Day organisers are hoping prospective students will travel to the event from as far away as Sydney and Brisbane, following an intensive advertising campaign in those cities. Mr Airs said that the festival was designed to attract people to visit Armidale and the UNE campus who may not previously considered studying in a regional area. But, he added, it was also an important opportunity for the university to engage with the local community.

"It is really going to be something for everybody over these three days, be they young or old, locals or visitors," he said. "I would encourage everyone to check out our program and head to UNE for what promises to be a really exciting three days."

Mr Airs acknowledged the support of sponsors including Armidale Dumaresq Council, Edwards aviation, Microsoft, and Channel [V] in making the event possible.

Further information about Life at Altitude is available at http://www.lifeataltitude.edu.au