1989 was a turning point in modern history.
1989 was the year that began with Time Magazine placing our endangered Earth on the front cover.
![Plant of the Year. Time. Endangered Earth. 2 January 1989. [Credit: Time Magazine]](https://content.time.com/time/magazine/archive/covers/1989/1101890102_400.jpg)
University of Newcastle’s Amalgamation
During 1989, under the direction of N.S.W. Higher Education (Amalgamation) Act 1989 No 65 the University of Newcastle
UON60: The Prehistory of the University of Newcastle – Newcastle University College (1951-1964)
underwent amalgamation with the Hunter Institute of Higher Education (formerly the Newcastle Teachers’ College/Newcastle College of Advanced Education)
UON60: Prehistory – The Newcastle Teachers’ College & Successors (1949-1989)
Fall of the Berlin Wall
In November 1989 the Berlin Wall fell marking the end to the Cold War and beginnings of the dissolution of the then Soviet Union.
Newcastle Earthquake December 1989
And ended with the Newcastle Earthquake at 10:27 on 28th December 1989.
A Premonition in Passing: the Newcastle Earthquake 1989 As It Happened
So, rather than 60 years of age, we could instead say we 36 years of age. Our University of 2025 had its modern birth in 1989, when all its educational institutions came together to become the “University of Newcastle”.
Since the time that the Earth split to announce our rebirth, we have entered the era of perpetual chaos and upheaval with restructure after restructure.
Do we still continue to “Look Ahead” “Towards a Better World”?
Gionni Di Gravio OAM
University Archivist & Chair Hunter Living Histories