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Writer's pictureRIck LeCouteur

The Faded Grin: Revisiting the Bar-B-Grog T-Shirt


In 1974, a simple t-shirt became an unforgettable symbol of camaraderie, celebration, and a little bit of veterinary school mischief.


This wasn’t just any t-shirt, though - it was designed for the annual Bar-B-Grog event, a now-legendary function hosted by veterinary students at the University of Sydney. The image on the shirt? A cheeky, grinning horse that still brings a smile to the faces of those who were there to witness it.

 

The Bar-B-Grog event was one of those much-anticipated gatherings, where students, faculty, and staff could unwind, enjoy some good food, play some games, and, true to the name, indulge in a bit of "grog." For the uninitiated, grog refers to alcoholic beverages, but for us veterinary students, it was more than that - it represented a chance to bond, share stories from clinics and classrooms, and let off some steam after a demanding academic year.

 

The shirt itself was straightforward in design: colored fabric with a large, cartoon-like image of a horse across the front. But this wasn’t just any horse. The horse had a wide, knowing grin, a playful nod to the veterinary profession’s deep connection with animals. Perhaps it was meant to suggest that even the horses were in on the fun. That smile came to symbolize the lighthearted, yet enduring spirit of the event.

 

It was the kind of shirt that, while casual, became iconic. Walking around campus in the weeks following the event, you could spot fellow students wearing their Bar-B-Grog shirts with pride. Each time we crossed paths, there was an unspoken recognition: we were part of something special, a community brought together by our shared love of veterinary medicine, and, of course, our sense of humor.

 

But the shirt wasn’t without its quirks. One classmate jokingly dubbed it “one wash and it’s gone,” a nod to the fact that it faded after just a few trips through the laundry. For those who were lucky enough to hold on to theirs, it became a treasured keepsake - even if its once-vibrant image gradually disappeared.

 

At our 50th vet school reunion, one Bar-B-Grog shirt still made an appearance, though by then it was even more special. It had been lovingly preserved by the wife of one of our most beloved classmates, preserving a piece of our shared past. The original may have faded, but its legacy, along with the memories it represented, remained strong.

 

Looking back now, the Bar-B-Grog t-shirt might seem like a small thing, but it was a lasting reminder of the connections forged during those formative years. The design may have been simple, but its meaning was rich - capturing the essence of student life, a love for animals, and the joy of gathering together, all summed up in the grin of that mischievous horse. Even today, its fading image evokes fond memories of a time when life was full of promise, laughter, and the shared excitement of becoming veterinarians.

 

The t-shirt may have been fleeting in its durability, but the friendships and experiences it represented remain indelible.

 

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