Hunter Living Histories

Technical School & School of Mines, Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, 29 August 1895. From an original glass negative taken by Ralph Snowball. (Courtesy of the Norm Barney Photographic Collection) See: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/3234440349

The University’s Celebrates its 60th Birthday from 1965-2025

The University of Newcastle celebrates its 60th birthday as an autonomous tertiary institution from 1965.

The University’s Historic Tapestry Is Made of Many Strands

The 1965 milestone recognises only one of several strands of educational institutional histories that have been woven into our University. There is the Newcastle University College strand that begins in 1951; the Newcastle Teachers’ College, then Newcastle College of Advanced Education (N.C.A.E.), then Hunter Institute of Higher Education (H.I.H.E.) that begins in 1949. And, then there is the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music that begins in 1952. All these strands came together during amalgamation in 1989.

What’s Missing from the University’s Family Tree?

The late Dr Bernie Curran AM had a little illustration of the University family tree, with all three institutions pictured. But there was another, a little box with a line into the University that read “Newcastle Art School”. This was unfinished business, that we would need to map one day.

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the following people; artists, academics, historians who have helped to inform and shape this post. They include the late Dr Bernard Curran AM, Dr Margaret McBride (whose work is curated into this post by Dr Ann Hardy), Christine Sanders, Allan Chawner, Bruce Rowland, Ross Edmonds, and Mr Mark Metrikas. It is a work in progress, so please let’s keep it going.

Tackling the History of the Newcastle Art School

So, here we are grappling with perhaps the most important, and the most neglected strand of them all; the Newcastle Art School. We had erroneously thought it all began in the 1950s, but soon realised it was like a fractal, the more we zeroed in, the deeper it went. Trying to unravel the history of the Newcastle Art education is like studying the Egyptian Book of Breathings.

 

Being Human is Being An Artist

According to mitochondrial DNA research, Newcastle and the Hunter have a human footprint dating back at least 47,000 years. Aboriginal culture is thoroughly entwined in its arts.

As the Europeans began to arrive in the Mulubinba (Newcastle) and Port Stephens area from around the 1790s convicts and commandants stationed here in early Colonial period were also artists recording the lives of Aboriginal people, their cultural practices, and the land. Examine the work of Captain James Wallis and Joseph Lycett, as told through the Stories of Our Town Film highlighting their artistic work during Newcastle’s colonial period.

The Lycett Album ca. 1820: Aboriginal People of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in European Colonial Art

The Wallis Album (ca.1817-1818): Aboriginal People of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in European Colonial Art

Stories of Our Town “Lycett and Wallis: Unlikely Preservers of Aboriginal Knowledge” Released

History of Art Education in Newcastle

Mark Metrikas writes:

“Instruction in drawing and art began in the various Schools of Arts possibly as early as the first Newcastle School of Arts on the corner Watt and King in the 1840s. (Reverend C.P.N. Wilton etc). This continued in the Newcastle School of Arts located on the Wolfe-Hunter-Scott Street site from the 1870s.” (See Snowball photograph from the original glass negative below.)

 

Art Classes at the Newcastle School of Arts Begin May 1881

A series of classes in Fine Art commenced at the Newcastle School of Arts on Tuesday 17 May 1881 under the direction of Mr W.J. Parkinson, Professor of Fine Art, Drawing and Painting. Ref: Art Classes. (1881, May 18). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137192113 and Art Classes at the School of Arts. (1881, May 21). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137192329

Mark Metrikas continues:

“And so, it is reasonable to suppose that at some point, the classes in technical drawing, fine arts, gilding, sign-writing, etc  transitioned from the Newcastle School of Arts to Newcastle Technical College, when formal re-establishment of classes commenced in 1944.  (Ref: Art Students Make Own Oil Paints (1945, May 25). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 8. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135015297 )”

Read more on the history of the Newcastle Technical College from 1885 through the N.S.W. State Archives Collection Newcastle Technical College Guide.  https://researchdata.edu.au/agy-4085-newcastle-technical-college/166796

1921, October 8.

Marcus Clarks Department Store staged an exhibition of paintings. Managing Director Mr Clark opened the exhibition attended by several hundred people. (M. McBride (2023) p.43) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/15231760#

1928.

Newcastle Technical Art School was opened to students (later known as Newcastle Technical College, National Art School). In 1970s the ‘National’ was dropped and it was known as Newcastle Art School or Newcastle Tech Art School. First teaching institution in Newcastle to offer art education. The Art school was the Newcastle campus of Sydney National Art School. Ref: McBride, M. (2023) p. 47.

1933.

Newcastle Art Society was formed to foster an appreciation of art in Newcastle and the Hunter. Reg Russom was the first President. In 1970s a breakaway group ‘Society of Artists’ was formed.

1935 Hilda Light to Speak With the Carnegie Trust

In terms of earlier Novocastrian cultural pioneers, Hilda Light, the eldest sister of our Auchmuty Library’s greatest benefactor, Reta Light, tried to establish a public library in Newcastle in 1935.

Hilda was a sort of Novocastrian Indiana Jones! Read more of Reta’s background and that of her amazing family (especially Hilda) here: https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2022/08/19/reta-light/

“Miss Hilda Light has advised the Newcastle City Council that during her tour of the United States of America she intends to Interview the Carnegie Trust to urge that a grant should be given to Newcastle for the establishment of a public library.” – MEN AND WOMEN (1935, January 14). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 – 1954), p. 8. Retrieved August 11, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165947715

Art School Origins

We did originally think that the Newcastle Art School began in the 1950s, but we’ve found TROVE news reports that there was an Art School within the Newcastle Technical College known as the ” Newcastle Technical College art school” from (at least) 1946. (It gets messy with the confusion of Technical Colleges and where they were located. So if anyone can help here, let us know. – ed)

In the midst of the Second World War Why Does Newcastle Not Have a Public Library?

Mr Clive Evatt, Minister for Education, had some wonderful words for the arts at the opening of Trades Hall Labour College on Sunday 20 February 1944. Clive Evatt, incidentally, was the father of Elizabeth Evatt who served as our University’s Chancellor from 1988-1994.

Opportunity for City Library. Minister at Opening of Labour College.

The Library Act would enable Greater Newcastle Council to decide to set up a city library, the Minister of Education (Mr. Evatt) said in Newcastle last night.

Opening the Labour College at the Trades Hall, the Minister said the State Government would subsidise such a library £1 for £1.

“I think the foremost thing about this college is the determination to embark on a cultural programme.” he added. “I want to see as the start of the programme a great city library set up in Newcastle. I can not understand why Newcastle, a city with about 140,000 citizens, has not a city library. Books are the chief armour of education and culture.”…

He went on to say that:

Newcastle deserved a cultural centre in which concerts would be held attracting orchestras and the greatest musicians and singers in the Commonwealth. The people pf Newcastle wanted good music and were entitled to it.
“The measure of any nation’s vitality and vigour is the attention it gives to cultural matters,” he said. “Music, art, drama and literature will make this nation truly great.”

Mr Evatt said he would like Newcastle to establish music clubs. “I am not referring to jitterbug and boogie woogie; there is far too much of it in this land – I am referring to everlasting music, “he said. The Minister appealed for assistance and encouragement to young poets, authors, composers, musicians and artists.

– Read in full here: OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY LIBRARY (1944, February 21). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134920022

Earlier that month, again with regards to the Trades Hall Labour College, the Trades hall were also trying to establish a University College, that would eventually become the University of Newcastle!

University College.

The Secretary of the council (Mr R. Loudon) said the establishment of the college was the expression of the desire of the trade-union movement for knowledge. The trade union movement was also doing all in its power to help in having a university college established here.

The council was distributing circulars to all unions inviting them to ascertain from their members the name of prospective first-year students in arts, science and engineering at the proposed university college. Parents of prospective students were advised to communicate with the Headmaster of Newcastle Boys’ High School (Mr. N. R. Mearns).

– LABOUR COLLEGE IN NEWCASTLE (1944, February 3). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134923077 

So, let’s get a library, and while we are at it, establish a University to go with it. But no jitterbug and boogie woogie!

Reg Russom

The figure of Reg Russom appears to be central to the teaching of art. He was the President of the Newcastle Art Society, and so it appears that the Art Society birthed the teaching courses through the Newcastle Technical College.

1946, March 23.

Mr Reg Russom teaching art at the Newcastle Technical College art school. Ref: Art Master Knew “Pistol Packin’ Momma” (1946, March 23). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140621776 

1947, May.

First Commercial ‘picture gallery’ established by Mrs L Campbell at Maitland Road Mayfield in the back section of the former baby health centre. (Mcbride, M. (2023) p57.

1948, June 29.

Mr Reg Russom Head Teacher at the Newcastle Technical College Art School. Ref: Letters To the Editor. (1948, June 29). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134316341 

 

Newcastle Technical College Art School Term Reports 1950-1959 (Courtesy of Mr Bruce Rowland)

Newcastle Technical College Art School – Term Reports – 1950-1959 (39MB PDF File) Courtesy of Bruce Rowland

Reg Russom appears to have been a one-man-band as only teacher- in-charge at the Newcastle Technical College Art School from (at least) 1944?-1950 as the earliest surviving report for 1950 attests.

Then, in 1951, Mr Paul Beadle becomes Head Teacher of the Newcastle Technical College Art School to join Mrs Elizabeth Arnall and J Tayt (who was conducting courses at Maitland) and others. 

1951, December 7.

“Mr. Paul Beadle, (centre), who will be Teacher-in-charge of Newcastle Technical College Art School from next year, admires handicraft work at the Hunter-street Technical College art and crafts exhibition yesterday.” Ref: Teacher For College Art School (1951, December 7). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140334011 

1952, February 19.

“Miss Kathleen Stoddart, of New Lambton, starts off her year at Newcastle Technical College Art School and meets the head teacher (Mr. Paul Beadle) yesterday. There was a large enrolment in the art school yesterday, mostly of younger students, with a fair proportion of older people.” Ref: Art School Enrolment (1952, February 19). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133712173

 

Mr Paul Beadle in the news during 1952-1953

He Wants Art In Shop, Factory (1952, March 15). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133722138

TO-DAY’S TOPICS (1952, March 25). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133719501

Lost Skeleton Back At Tech. College (1952, May 9). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133189056

Water Colour Exhibition (1952, July 3). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 6. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133183113

Art Gallery Chief (1952, August 13). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133193031

Artists “Extremely Important” (1952, August 13). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133193014

AROUND THE SCHOOLS (1952, August 14). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133195901

Newcastle Eagle On Memorial (1953, January 10). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134818194

Memorial Eagle Model (1953, January 13). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134832029

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER (1953, February 4). Construction (Sydney, NSW : 1938 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222895701

Ball For War Memorial (1953, March 18). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134833098

Art Student At Work (1953, April 30). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134822000

Beard Experiment (1953, July 31). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134275624

Mural Win By John Bice (1953, September 18). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 10. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140295321

Tech. High P. And C. Working Bee (1953, September 18). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161038650

Lectured Art Students (1953, November 26). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140296015

1953.

Newcastle Art School, arrival of teacher John Passmore. McBride, M. (2023) p.55.

Then, in 1954, Education Department art classes on a parallel with Sydney Technical College begin being run for the first time in a regional centre at the Newcastle Technical College Art school.

1954, February 24.

“Education Department art classes on a parallel with the Diploma of Art classes at Sydney Technical College will be run in a country centre for the first time at, Newcastle Technical College Art school, beginning on Monday. These classes will enable students to study for two years in Newcastle and then, if they wish continue their studies at the Sydney Technical College for their diploma. Mr. Paul Beadle, in charge of the Newcastle Art School, said yesterday that there were still vacancies in various classes. Classes for schoolchildren will start on Saturday.” Ref: To-day’s Topics (1954, February 24). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134918885

 

1954, May 13.

Mr. Passmore has been appointed teacher of art and drawing at Newcastle Technical College Art School. Ref: Australian Art ‘Backward’ (1954, May 13). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134657104

1954, December 7. Photo montage including:

“(2) Messrs. John Passmore and Paul Beadle, Miss Phyllis Shilito and Mr. R. Basden study another exhibit. Miss Shillito, senior lecturer in design at the National Art School, opened the exhibition.” Ref: Art Students’ Show (1954, December 7). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 – 1954), p. 14. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163332605

1954, December 7.

Photo: Mr. John Passmore, a lecturer in art at Newcastle Technical College, and Miss Phyllis Shillito, Senior Lecturer in Design, National Art School” and states that

“Head of the Art School (Mr. Paul Beadle) explained that the full-time students would normally go on to study at the National Art School in Sydney for the certificate and diploma course. But he hoped that the day would come when Newcastle Art School would provide the diploma course.”  Ref: Art Exhibition Impresses (1954, December 7). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134085851

1955 – 1959.

Second commercial gallery ‘Turana Gallery” established at 105 Beaumont Street Hamilton . McBride, M. (2023) p.55.

1957.

Opening of Newcastle City Art Gallery  (name changed to Newcastle Regional Art Gallery when purpose-built gallery established 1977).  McBride, M. (2023) p.55.

1957.

Paul Beadle appointed Honorary Director of Newcastle Art Gallery.  McBride, M. (2023) p. 67.

Then, from 1958-1969 – National Art School at the Newcastle Technical College Head Teacher Mr Brian Cowley, developed a vocational Art School offering a four year Diploma in Art (Education) at the Newcastle Teachers’ College.

1958-1969

National Art School at the Newcastle Technical College Head Teacher Mr Brian Cowley, developed a vocational Art School offering a four year Diploma in Art (Education) at the Newcastle Teachers’ College. See: New head art teacher at technical college (1971, February 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), p. 18. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110453299 

1958.

Gil Docking appointed full time Director of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

1961.

Mattara Art Show opens in Civic Park, Newcastle.

1962.

Newcastle’s first pottery course commenced  (not at Newcastle city campus instead at Wood Street, Newcastle West). McBride, M. (2023) p.128.

“In conjunction with the part time courses in ceramics, classes were held for trainee secondary school art teachers. Previously, students embarking on a profession in teaching art in the state schools system were required to relocate to Sydney for their educational training. However with the increased facilities at the Technical College (there were none at the Teachers College), particularly in ceramics, trainee art teachers were spared the added expense and inconvenience of moving to Sydney to study. These students were required to complete a range of art subjects which included a three-term unit in ceramics and were assessed at the end f the course. In 1965, Scott Jones had a class of eight trainee teachers, which grew to fifteen by 1968. Many of her students, were converting their qualifications from primary education to secondary school art teaching to fill a shortage of art teachers.” McBride, M. (2023) p.129.

Christine Sanders writes:

“I was one of the original students to commence in 1962 which was the first full time intake into the Diploma of Art as a regional offshoot of the National Art School. Back then two introductory years only were available to regional students with the final three years of the diploma completed at the N.A.S campus at East Sydney. Prior to 1962 Newcastle Technical College offered numerous part time art classes located at the Hunter street and Wood street campuses. I actually attended Saturday morning children’s art classes at Hunter street campus in the 1950s.I was also a lecturer at the Art School in all its forms  from 1967 until I retired in 2006 and remained a conjoint at the University in Natural History Illustration from 2007 until its recent demise. I still have two ‘rescued’ photo albums and a 1975 year book that may be of use to you regarding the early history.” Email to Gionni Di Gravio 30 July 2025

Newcastle Art School Term Reports 1962-1969
(Courtesy of Mr Bruce Rowland)

Newcastle Art School Term Reports 1962-1969 (40 MB PDF File) Courtesy of Mr Bruce Rowland)

Christine Sanders writes:

“Regarding your queries, firstly I have been looking through my references but cannot find a definitive answer as to whether the Newcastle Technical College art school was established as part of the original Technical College. I suspect it evolved separately as the need arose, initially to service vocational pursuits on offer while offering  classes in drawing and painting to the local community. I recall when I attended Saturday children’s classes at the Hunter street campus there were studios and workshops where courses such as interior and graphic design were on offer also millinery and boat building.

I later attended an evening design and colour class in 1960 while at high school taught by Brian Cowley who had replaced Paul Beadle. It was Brian who informed us of the availability in Newcastle of the first two years of the five year full time art diploma commencing in 1962. ” – Email to Gionni Di Gravio 5 August 2025

 

1963.

Von Bertouch galleries, a commercial gallery, opens in Cooks Hill.

1964.

Newcastle Teachers ‘Collage Art School was established to train art teachers. McBride, M. (2023) p.171.

Lawrence Arthur Ware & Silver Ware

Silver Ware writes: “From 1969-1983 Lawrence Arthur Ware A.S.T.C was Head of Hunter Street Technical College Art School in Newcastle from 1969-1983. Which became the Newcastle College of Advanced Education. Lawrence Ware taught in Sydney at East Sydney Art School, 5 year course Darlinghurst (the old Sandstone Gaol), Sculpture and Drawing, Head of North Sydney Tech. 1st and 2nd Year, Cogorah Tech and Summer School Art, Randwick Art School & Summer School and Morpeth Summer School Art & Sculpture prior to being sent to Newcastle in 1969. His wife, Silver Ware A.S.T.C., taught as a casual teacher with him in Scuplture, three days a week, he was her teacher at North Sydney Tech 2 years, then East Sydney Art School Sculpture another three years, then she taught at Cogorah, Randwick Summer School and North Sydney.”

The 50 Years Reunion Website for the Newcastle Art School 1969-2019

 

 

The 1970s: times of the split

In 1974 the Diploma in Art (Education) at the Newcastle Teachers’ College split from Technical College (now TAFE).

Christine Sanders writes:

“Regarding your query about a split with TAFE art school it commenced in 1975 when the new courses were approved for the newly constituted Newcastle College of Advanced Education though as you mentioned there was an agreement for continuing the Art Diploma courses for a smooth transition for continuing students. Staff were invited to apply for full time positions in the new institution and those not wishing to transfer remained with the TAFE art school. Both cohorts of students (Diploma in art and Dip art ed.) transferred to the new institution  but remained at the Hunter street campus until transferring to the Union street site that had been vacated by the Newcastle Teachers college when it moved to the NCAE/ University campus. The TAFE art school then commenced rebuilding at Hunter street. Bruce Rowland  can possibly help you of those details.” – Email to Gionni Di Gravio 5 August 2025

A breakaway from the ‘Newcastle Art Society’ was formed at Stockton and named the ‘Society of Artists’ and had their inaugural exhibition at Jayes Travel Art Gallery. This Society went on to purchase its own premises at Lambton Park. Mcbride, M. (2023) p.50.

1974, October 1. The Newcastle College was declared a corporate college under the Higher Education Act, 1969, and renamed the Newcastle College of Advanced Education (NCAE). On this date the Newcastle Teachers College ceased to exist. The new institution offered two forms of qualifications, art education and visual arts. Mcbride, M. (2023) p.171.

Arrangements were finalised in the second half of 1974 for the Newcastle College of Advanced Education (N.C.A.E.) to take over responsibility for the Fine Art Diploma courses formerly offered by the Department of Technical Education at the Newcastle Branch of the National Art School. To assume full responsibility for the Diploma in Art (Education) course. The Department moved to a campus in Union Street when the art school transferred from the Technical College (TAFE) to Newcastle College of Advanced Education (N.C.A.E).

The New South Wales Advanced Education Board approved the introduction in 1975 of four-year full-time courses in Art (Painting and Sculpture) and Art Education.

At the time of writing (i.e., 1976) the Art Diploma courses continued to be offered in the premises of the Department of Technical and Further Education in Hunter Street Newcastle West.

The College had assumed responsibilities for the delivery of Fine Art courses from the Department of Technical Education in 1974, and the NSW Advanced Education Board approved the introduction of a four year program in Art (Painting and Sculpture) in 1975. (Ref: NTC Calendar 1976, p.5)

1977, March 11.

Newcastle City Art Gallery officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. See Greg & Sylvia Ray’s Photo Essay containing images of the opening of the Newcastle Art Gallery https://www.phototimetunnel.com/the-queen-in-newcastle-nsw-1977-a-photo-essay

FREE DOWNLOAD

art school – Photographs of the National Art School to Newcastle Technical College (TAFE) Newcastle College of Advanced Education Art School period from 1975-1985 by Allan Chawner (81 MB PDF File)

1981 N.C.A.E. Women’s Art Exhibition August 1981

Dr Jude Conway writes:

“My Mum kept a pamphlet about a women’s art exhibition at the NCAE held as part of the 1981 Newcastle Women’s Week. The pamphlet is now in the Jessie Street National Women’s Library.” – Email to Gionni Di Gravio 4/9/2025

1989. Amalgamation with the University of Newcastle

University of Newcastle’s Watt Space Gallery opens.

Christine Sanders writes:

“Brian Cowley transferred to Canberra Art School after completing a Churchill Fellowship and was replaced by Laurie Ware who oversaw the transition from the NAS to NCAE completed by 1977. Laurie Ware retired in 1978 and was replaced by Professor Graham Gilchrist who saw the art school through its most turbulent period with the changes from NCAE to HIHE and finally to the University. During this period the Diploma in art course ceased and the Bachelor in Art Visual Art degree commenced. Graham resigned in 1997 after a major upheaval caused by the severity of the change management plan in 1996 that resulted in staff redundancies. There was an interim period of restructuring and the art school was eventually divided into different faculties.” – Email to Gionni Di Gravio 5 August 2025

 

1990s.

‘School of Visual and Performing Arts’ Newcastle College of Advanced Education (N.C.A.E.) becomes Visual Arts at the University of Newcastle.

 

 

 

 

2003.

Natural History Illustration degree, unique in Australia to the University of Newcastle. Christine Ross, Senior Lecturer was the initial program coordinator. McBride, M. (2023) p.164.

1990s to 2025

The era of constant University restructures and the dissolution of the arts & humanities to what we have now.

Related Posts

UON60: Prehistory – The Newcastle Teachers’ College & Successors (1949-1989)

UON60: Prehistory of the University of Newcastle – The Newcastle Conservatorium of Music – Born in 1952

UON60: The Prehistory of the University of Newcastle – Newcastle University College (1951-1964)

Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio with the help of the late Dr Bernard Curran AM, Dr Margaret McBride (whose work is curated into this post by Dr Ann Hardy), Christine Sanders, Allan Chawner, Bruce Rowland, Ross Edmonds, and Mr Mark Metrikas.

This is just a start, it is a work in progress, so please if you have further information on this timeline, let us know.

Gionni Di Gravio OAM
University Archivist & Chair, Hunter Living Histories