SYDNEY.-The City of Sydney and the University of Sydney are holding a ceremony to mark the official return of the historic Victoria Park Gates from the University grounds to their original position on City Road near the corner of City and Parramatta Roads.

When the University of Sydney handed the land for Victoria Park to the City in 1924, the sandstone and iron gates which had marked the entrance to the University since 1870 were put in storage. The gates were relocated further up City Road in the 1940s.

In 2004, following the joint initiative of the University and the City's planners it was agreed that the City and the University would cooperate to relocate the gates back to their original position, directly in line with the University's historic quadrangle clocktower and bell chamber.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the gates were a significant piece of Sydney's history.

"Sydney University has a long association with this part of Sydney with its presence here dating back to the 1850s. Now these magnificent gates have been saved and returned to the location which originally marked the University entrance," Ms Moore said.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Gavin Brown noted, "The City of Sydney and the University have worked closely together to restore the gate's stone and iron work as well as works to the surrounding paths and gardens. Now we can re-dedicate the gates as they stand proudly at the university's original entrance."