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The ancient Bunya tree is the inspiration UniSQ’s new logo

The University of Southern Queensland has a new logo, inspired by the ancient Bunya pine found in southeast Queensland.

Bunya Pine at Uni SQ
Bunya Pine at Uni SQ

The University of Southern Queensland has chosen the Bunya pine tree, native to only a few locations in southeast and north Queensland, as the inspiration for its new symbol.

As well as adopting a yellow and white shield logo which is based on the tree, the university will also use a shortened version of its name, UniSQ, as part of its promotional effort.

Vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie said the rebrand represented an evolution of the university which went further and deeper than a new logo.

UniSQ’s new logo
UniSQ’s new logo

“It is recognition of all we have already achieved as a university, alongside the communities we work with and in, and the ambition to continue to lead the way – from breakthrough research to new ways of delivering programs online,” she said.

Professor Mackenzie said the university had a strong record of innovation over the years, including pioneering distance education in 1977 and launching off-shore courses in the 1980s.

It was also one of the first Australian universities to establish a dedicated office for First Nations students, which it did in 1986.

The Bunya pine, which inspired the new logo
The Bunya pine, which inspired the new logo

UniSQ’s pro vice-chancellor (engagement) Shawn Walker said the new brand was developed with extensive market research, with a focus on reputation and recognition.

“It is a remarkable time to study, teach, or research at UniSQ and this rebrand brings excitement and renewed purpose to everyone across our three campuses, and every single location across Australia and around the world from which our students choose to study,” Mr Walker said.

He said that over the university’s 55 year history it had been known by different names and had had four different logos. “But at the core, our values have remained the same,” Mr Walker said.

The Bunya pine is an ancient tree, related to the Wollemi pine, which has a distinctive dome shape. They were once more widespread but one of their few natural locations now is in the Bunya mountains in southeast Queensland, not far from UniSQ’s main campus in Toowoomba.

Tim Dodd
Tim DoddHigher Education Editor

Tim Dodd is The Australian's higher education editor. He has over 25 years experience as a journalist covering a wide variety of areas in public policy, economics, politics and foreign policy, including reporting from the Canberra press gallery and four years based in Jakarta as South East Asia correspondent for The Australian Financial Review. He was named 2014 Higher Education Journalist of the Year by the National Press Club.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/the-ancient-bunya-tree-is-the-inspiration-unisqs-new-logo/news-story/778f61b8e0a8bac97b97ee4fce996b83