This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land.
Wollotuka
Wollotuka means “eating and meeting place” and is the name of the strategic and operational body that co-ordinates all indigenous activities at the University of Newcastle (Australia).
This timeline of archival resources has been compiled by the staff of the University of Newcastle Special Collections (Archives and GLAMx Lab) to help the people and communities organising the 40th anniversary celebrations that commence later this year.
The Wollotuka Institute was originally established as an Aboriginal enclave within the then Newcastle College of Advanced Education (N.C.A.E.) as a support program for Indigenous Australian students.
It was known as the Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre, and was later amalgamated into the University of Newcastle in 1989 at the same time as the Hunter Institute of Higher Education, which superseded the N.C.A.E. It continues to thrive to this day.
The Birabahn Building, home of Wollotuka, photographed 10th March 2003.
Birabahn
Birabahn (pictured above) is the name of the building where Wollotuka is located today. The name “Birabahn” comes from both the eagle-hawk totem of the Awabakal people and Birabahn the Aboriginal scholar by the same name.
When viewed from above, the roof of the building resembles the outstretched wings of an eagle-hawk flying over the land.
Birabahn began being used in April 2002 and the official opening took place during the Indigenous Australian Cultural Festival in October of that year. (See Wikipedia)
Aboriginal People on the Shortland Site 1962-1963
It is important to acknowledge that Aboriginal people were living on the Shortland site of the future University of Newcastle and Newcastle Teacher’s College in the early 1960s. The site below contains silent NBN Television news film shot in 1963, of the Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people that we believe might have been filmed just prior to their eviction later that year. There is also an earlier report by students from the Newcastle University College visiting the site in July 1962 and seeing Aboriginal people living in tents and corrugated iron structures in another location.
Minutes of the forty-fifth meeting of the COUNCIL of NEWCASTLE COLLEGE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION reconstituted under section 7 of the Colleges of Advanced Education Act, 1975, held on Thursday, 26th April, 1984, at 4.30 p.m. in the Music Room A149, Waratah West.
Newcastle College of Advanced Education (NCAE) Council Resolution C53/84 (26 April 1984) From Archives Shelf Location: C1884(vii).
1.4 Report from Committee for Aboriginal Support Structures
It was RESOLVED C53/84: “that Council notes the actions of Academic Board with regard to support structures for Aboriginal students.”
and
Newcastle College of Advanced Education (NCAE) Council Resolution C89/84 (26 April 1984) From Archives Shelf Location: C1884(vii).
* (10) REPORT FROM MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE COMMITTEE (C.33:84)
The report from the Mulit-Purpose Centre Committee had been circulated with the Agenda papers. The report requested the Council to support the development of a permanent Aboriginal Enclave facility in proximity to the Student Union Building, and that Council approve the appropriation of land in this vicinity for this purpose. In discussion of the report and recommendations, the Council was of the opinion that it should at this stage leave open the options for the location of the Enclave and recommendations (ii) and (iii) of the Multi Purpose Centre Committee were amended accordingly. With these amendments incorporated, it was:
RESOLVED C. 89/84:
” (i) that the Council supports the development of Stage II of a Multi-Purpose Centre now on the basis of providing 60 places for child care with particular consideration to the needs of Aborigines and incorporating facilities to assist with the integration of handicapped children from the Special Education Centre;
(ii) that Council add to its options the development of a permanent Aboriginal Enclave building in proximity to the Student Union building; and
(iii) that Council reserve its option on the appropriation of. land on the north-west corner of the College site in proximity to the Student Union building for a permanent Aboriginal
Enclave.”
Digital Photograph of Box C1638 – File 11/4016 – NCAE – Aboriginal Enclave – December 1984 to February 1986.
1986
Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre Newsletter NCAE Vol.1.No.1 November 5, 1986
Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre Newsletter NCAE Vol.1.No.1 November 5, 1986
WOLLOTUKA ENCLAVE Lorraine Thomas – Co-ordinator
Wollutuka means ‘a meeting and eating place’ for Aboriginal people, it is situated beneath the cafeteria at the C.A.E. a position that is soon to be changed. The temporary Enclave has been operating for 2½ years, comprising 2 offices, a lounge and tutorial room. We have a Co-ordinator, assistant Co-ordinator and Lecturer in Aboriginal Studies. Funding has been provided for a clerical assistant but, at the moment this position is vacant.
Enclave means ‘a part entirely surrounded by a foreign environment’, the Enclave gives us an opportunity to be ourselves to discuss Aboriginal issues, speak Aboriginal english as well as giving each other support. At present we need this support to succeed at tertiary level so that Koories can return to the community in a professional capacity. There are currently 34 students enrolled at the N.C.A.E.
By July 1987 a free standing building will be completed Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre (W.A.E.C.) It will be colonial in design situated on a bushland block of ground between the Physical Education Department and the Student Representative Council. The building will cater for the needs of 100 people, with room for expansion.
One of the aims of the W.A.E.C. is to encourage a greater number of Koorie people to undertake teritary studies by providing suitable support structures i.e physical, academic and social.
The new building will have a comprehensive library containing books, audiovisual resources, journals and other publications relating to Aboriginal affairs. We hope the staff and students of the N.C.A.E. use the fascilities to gain better insight into Koorie culture or just pop over for an informal visit to speak to the students and staff of the W.A.E.C.
“The Associate Diploma in Administrative Studies for Aboriginal students is a two-year full-time undertaking it’s designed to turn out effective administrators and managers for work with aboriginal organisations.” – NBN Television 2B 65 News item from January – February 1987 starts at 22:30
1987 Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre Building
“Wollotuka began as an Aboriginal Enclave in 1984 and has developed into a multi purpose centre over the intervening years. It obtained its present free standing building in 1987. Expansion of its role as a resource centre and subsequent increases in Aboriginal student enrolments and retention led to extensions to the building in 1989.” – From Archival file C3870(ii) containing a range of documents and reports. This quote comes from 1992-1994 Aboriginal Education Strategic Plan (p.3).
Wollotuka Building circa 1990s, having been established there in 1987 and expanded in 1989. (Photo Credit: Medical Communication Unit Archives)
Wollotuka Building as it stood from 1987, just adjacent to current Bar on the Hill. Building is now occupied by NUSA. (Photo Credit: Medical Communication Unit Archives)
1987 Gail Garvey – first Indigenous graduate of the N.C.A.E.
Gail Garvey – first Indigenous graduate of the Newcastle College of Advanced Education in a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education features in a news story on NBN Television 3B 14 News item September 1987 (starts at 21:24)
1987 John Heath – Aboriginal Health Course
John Heath Speaking on Aboriginal Health Course on NBN Television new story on Reel 5B 33 News item September 1987 (starts at 19:40)
1988 (Official) Opening of Wollotuka Building
The following new story is located in NBN Television 5B 42 News item, July 1988 begins at 13:28.
Sandra Eades and Louis Peachey, the first Aboriginal graduates of the Newcastle Faculty of Medicine, graduated on 19th May, 1990. Later that day 130 people, many from the Aboriginal community, celebrated their achievement at the Wollotuka Aboriginal Education Centre.
The Faculty of Medicine at Newcastle has admitted between 2 and 5 Aboriginal and Islander students each year since 1985. There are now 13 of these medical students in Years 1 to 4 of the course. They come from around Australia with 2 students from each of Broome, Wollongong, Tasmania, and Sydney, 1 from the Torres Strait, 1 from Leeton and 3 from Queensland. The retention rate is approximately 50% and while both the Aboriginal Student Liaison Office and the Faculty wish to improve that percentage, it is comparable to other similar programmes that are less demanding.
The Newcastle medical school offers some places to Aboriginal and Islander candidates with significantly lower academic results than required by other medical schools and has a more adventurous admissions policy that emphasises qualities in addition to academic ability. – https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/110042
that the academic dress for the Diploma in Aboriginal Studies be a gown of black cloth as worn by Bachelors of Arts of the University of Cambridge with a stole of black cloth, having a stripe in Canary (ASC Y11) with a central stripe of one centimetre of Waratah (ASC R14).
1993
Dr Bill Jonas awarding Undergraduate Scholarships named in honour of Jack Doherty, (founder of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group in 1980) on NBN Television 15B 9 News item, May 1993 (starts at 7:28)
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
It was RESOLVED C274/93: 27/8/93 540:
that Council approves amendment of the Degrees and Diplomas – General Rules by the addition of:
Master of Building
Master of Economics
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
Bachelor of Information Science (Honours)
Master of Music
Master of Social Work and
Diploma in Aboriginal Studies
to the list of degrees and diplomas conferred or awarded by the University.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
It was RESOLVED C379/93: 15/10/93 585
that an amendment to the Newcastle University Students’ Association Constitution (Special Group Representative Section of the Constitution (Clause 4)) to provide for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative to be elected from and by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students of each campus be approved.
NBN News story on graduation preparations for two Aboriginal doctors, Alex Brown and Anita Watts on NBN Television Reel 20B 14 News item, April 1996. (starts at: 20:17)
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION CENTRE
The Council RESOLVED (C86:96) to: 19/4/96 952:
(i) approve the indicative capital budget project allocation of $1.2M, as an interim budget, for the construction of an alternative building for the purposes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Centre, to enable the existing building to be made available to the NUSA; and
(ii) establish a Project Advisory Committee comprising:
an external member of the Council appointed by the Council, who shall also be Chair – Mr Trevor Waring;
Senior Architect/Planner, Mr Philip Pollard;
Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Centre, Ms Tracey Bunda;
Administrator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Centre, Ms Cheryl Newton; and
Manager, Awabakal Aboriginal Cooperative, Mr Ray Kelly.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C182:96) to: 21/6/96 981
note the use of the Seal of the University as follows:
4.4.96 Memorandum of Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Employment, Education and Training) for funding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Career Development Strategy.
1997
The then new Vice Chancellor of the University of Newcastle Roger Holmes, is welcomed by four groups of Aboriginal dancers and community elders. He speaks of Wollotuka and newly formed Umulliko Centre. On NBN Television News Reel 21B 52 News item, March 1997.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C179:97) to: 29/8/97 1106
offer to the candidate named in the Doc C95:97 appointment to the position of Professor of Aboriginal Studies and Director of Umulliko.[Mr John Lester]
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C232:97) to: 31/10/97 1123
(i) approve the construction of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander multi-purpose building to accommodate the Wollotuka Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Centre, the Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Centre, and the Aboriginal Liaison Office, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; and
(ii) appoint a Project Advisory Committee comprising:
Professor Ron MacDonald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Chair);
Professor John Ramsland, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science;
Ms Gail Garvey, Aboriginal Liaison Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences;
Professor John Lester, Director, Umulliko;
Mr Philip Pollard, Senior Architect/Planner;
Ms Lauren Williams, Acting Director, Wollotuka; and
Ms Jean McGarry, a member of the Council.
1997 Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre Opens
1998
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C41:98) to: 27/2/98 1169
note the establishment of Aboriginal Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Social Science with effect from 2 March 1998.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C42:98) to: 27/2/98 1169
note the current establishment of academic organisational units within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences:
Discipline of Aboriginal Health Studies
Discipline of Anatomical Pathology
Discipline of Anatomy
Discipline of Behavioural Science in Relation to Medicine
Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology
Discipline of Community medicine and Clinical Epidemiology (including the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Discipline of Environmental and Occupational Health
Discipline of General Practice
Discipline of Human Physiology
Discipline of Immunology and Microbiology **
Discipline of Medical Biochemistry
Discipline of Medical Genetics
Discipline of Medical Radiation Science
Discipline of Medicine
Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics
Discipline of Occupational Therapy
Discipline of Paediatrics
Discipline of Psychiatry
Discipline of Reproductive Medicine
Discipline of Surgical Science
** Subject to confirmation of name.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C98:106) to: 24/4/98 1189
note the appointment of the following Heads of Department: Appointee/ Department/ Term of Office
Associate Professor Laurel Williams/ Department of Aboriginal Studies/ 24 March 1998 to 31 March 2000.
Professor Eric Colhoun/ Department of Geography and Environmental Science/ 1 January 1998 to 31 March 2000
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
Council RESOLVED (C98:73) to: 24/4/98 1182
(i) approve the Capital Fund: 1998 Budget (Doc R&A 29:98), including the following variations:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Centre
Variation: $0.5M Total Cost: $3.0M
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION CONSULTATIVE GROUP
The Council RESOLVED (C98:122) to: 12/6/98 1195
congratulate Professor John Lester, Director of Umulliko/Professor of Aboriginal Studies, and Mr Michael Donovan, member of the Wollotuka academic staff, on their appointments to the New South Wales Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, and Professor Lester on his reappointment as a member of the Regional Communities Consultative Council by the New South Wales Premier.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C98:288) to: 4/12/98 1250
note that the Vice-Chancellor, 27 November 1998, approved the following sub-groupings of Disciplines within the Schools (Academic Organisational Units) indicated:
Biomedical Sciences – Medical Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, Human Physiology, Anatomy, Anatomical Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology;
Population Health Sciences – Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology/CCEB, Behavioural Science in Relation to Medicine/Hunter Centre for Health Advancement, Clinical Pharmacology, Aboriginal Health Studies, Clinical Unit in Ethics and Health Law;
Medical Practice – Medicine, Surgical Science, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Reproductive Medicine and General Practice; and
Health Sciences – Occupational Therapy, Medical Radiation Science, Environmental and Occupational Health, Nutrition and Dietetics.
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
ENABLING PROGRAMS
The Council RESOLVED (C98:298) to: 4/12/98 1253
approve the establishment of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Professions Enabling Course for offer by the Enabling Programs Unit from 1999.
1999
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
The Council RESOLVED (C99:105) to: 29/4/99 1299
note that the Vice-Chancellor has made the following Head of Department appointment for the term of office indicated:
Faculty Appointment Position Term of Office Arts & Social Science Professor John Lester Head, Department of Aboriginal Studies 12 April 1999 to 11 April 2002
1999
2000
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TRAINING
The Council RESOLVED (C00:147) to: 18/8/00 52
note the document, “Response of the Academic Senate to the External Review of Aboriginal Education and Research Training” (Doc AcS 00:56 (Revised))
2001
University of Newcastle Council Resolution:
WOLLOTUKA SCHOOL OF ABORIGINAL STUDIES
The Council RESOLVED (C01:256) to: 14/12/01 200
note that the Vice-Chancellor, 7 November 2001, on the advice of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Arts, has approved a change in title for the School of Aboriginal Studies, from 1 January 2002, to the “Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies”.
2002
Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies Birabahn building is officially opened.
2014
The Wollotuka Institute A 30 year History (2014)
2014
The Wollotuka Institute A 30 year History (2014)
Acknowledgements
Thanks to assistance of Dr Ann Hardy and the magnificent GLAMx Audio Visual Team if Digitisers, Volunteers and Work Integrated Learning students, Paige Wright, Margaret Jollow.
If you have any information or historical material that may assist please let us know.
Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio, OAM University Archivist & Chair Hunter Living Histories.
