Do Working Class People Care For Universities?
Well they certainly did here in Newcastle and the Hunter Region!
It was always the stuff of legend that the Trade Unionists of the Hunter Region helped create the University Library and University of Newcastle by collecting a shilling out of their pay packets to help finance the creation of one from as early as 1943 in the middle of World War II.
Newcastle University grew out of the community
In the words of our Foundation Archivist interviewed in 1981:
“Newcastle University grew out of the community. And, indeed, this is particularly true of the Library in which the archives are housed. In the year 1943, for example, the Trade Unionists of Newcastle paid a shilling from their pay packets to help finance the establishment of the University Library. Which is the building in which the archives is housed. Now, since then, on the archival side, we have collected the records of a number of institutions which were closely involved with the establishment of a University at Newcastle. I suppose the two most significant institutions in setting up the University were the Newcastle Trades Hall and the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.”
Evidence Uncovered
The evidence of it proposed was found in the Minutes of the Newcastle Trade Hall Council for Thursday 22 April 1943, and ratified at the meeting of the 16th May 1943.
“UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Resolved that standing orders be suspended for 10 minutes to hear Mr. H. R. Mearns, and Mr. P. Hayes on the question of the University Library in Newcastle.
During the course of his address, Mr. Mearns stated that brilliant young workers sons and daughters of the district were being denied the advantage of a higher education, because of the prohibitive cost of travelling and residing in Sydney or Armidale University centres.
He stated that it was very necessary to have the complete support of the Trade Union Movement in requesting a University in Newcastle, because Newcastle is mainly the home of Industrialists, whose sons and daughters would constitute the majority of its personnel.
The proposed University would be granted stated Mr. Mearns if an adequate library was provided by the citizens of the district. The library would cost £5,000 and he asked the support of the Trade Union Movement in raising the necessary finance.
Secretary Hayes of the Boys High School, P & C. Association congratulated the new executive of Council and supported Mr. Mearns remarks. He stated that he had been very delighted in receiving already a cheque from the Ironworkers for £25, towards the proposed library. He put forward the suggestion that each member of each Union make 6d. contribution to the end of June this year, and a further 6d. up to the end of September. If this were done the library would be fully subscribed.
A vote of thanks was moved to the speakers by Del. Morgan who stated that we industrialists should support the library proposal, because working classes were denied the enjoyment of a higher education because of locality and cost.
Del. Hall seconded the vote of thanks and supported Del. Morgans remarks.
Resolved on the motion of Dels. Levett and Lloyd that all Unions be circularised stressing the importance of the library and putting forward the suggestion of Mr. Hayes, regarding the 6d. contribution per member as outlined above and, requesting an answer on their opinions within 28 days. Resolved that standing orders be resumed.”
One Shilling From Each Hunter Region Union Member = One University Library
We had no idea they raised the £5,000 needed for the University Library in just two months by each Union member contributing half a shilling at the end of June 1943, and another half a shilling at the end of September 1943.
The Newcastle University College Committee had sought the backing of the Hunter Region’s Unions, and they got it.
All this when Newcastle didn’t even have a public library.
The Newcastle Trades Hall Labour College Opens in February 1944
Newcastle Trades Hall Council were diligently 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
The Newcastle University College Opens
UON60: The Prehistory of the University of Newcastle – Newcastle University College (1951-1964)
The Newcastle University College was opened on 3rd December 1951.
Why Establish a University in Newcastle?
So that “the brilliant young workers sons and daughters” would not be denied a higher education due to the prohibitive costs of traveling and residing in Sydney or Armidale.
There’s visionary thinking for you.
The records of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council now reside in the Auchmuty Library and University that the local community through the Trade Union Movement helped build.
Gionni Di Gravio OAM
University Archivist & Chair, Hunter Living Histories