By Lisa Pritchard (UoS Masters Museum & Heritage studies)
I arrived as an intern from University of Sydney to meet Dr Ann Hardy and Gionni di Gravio (Archivist) from the Special Collections Library at the Auchmuty Library. My project was to research and participate in a collaborative architectural project. The celebration of Newcastle University Callaghan Campus’ 60th anniversary. This unique bushland campus contains significant architectural buildings which has inspired a community sense of ‘Place’.
ONLINE COLLECTION HERE
My work began in the GLAMx lab reviewing Living Histories digital repository, archival sources, collections and oral histories related to heritage and architecture. Together with personal correspondence from current and retired academic staff that has informed the project. I am grateful to Bob Donaldson, a former academic in Architecture who kindly informed us that there has been a
“School of Architecture formally, in Newcastle since about 1925, when the first NSW Architect’s Registration Act was introduced. That means that Newcastle school is as long lasting as that at Sydney University. And, that Archi-century might also be worth celebrating. Forty years before the establishment of the UON institution and sixty years since. And a very checkered history as well. I overlapped with both eras’.”
Below is a Timeline which includes resources from the archived and below are related links to further explore.
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Online Resources
Les Reedman. ‘Early architects of the Hunter Region: a hundred years to 1940‘. (July 2008)’.
The University of Newcastle. ‘THE PARKER FELLOWSHIP’.
The University of Newcastle, Australia. ‘60 Years of Looking Ahead’. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ciw-VFRJ4FOcOfmTDHKtzF1KPL7Nj-cA/view?usp=sharing
The University of Newcastle. ‘Shortland Union Building’ (Bowmen Building)
Great Hall, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus. The University Library Special Collections. The first use of the Great Hall was the Graduation Day of Friday 16.3.1973. The Gazette, April 1973 –
Opening of Corlette Court at Engineering Complex, University of Newcastle, Australia: 1973. on 30.3.1973 University News, No. 71, 27 Sep 1973) The University of Newcastle. ‘The Gazette. Vol. 5, No. 1, February 1971’.
Donaldson, Bob. & Maitland, B. & Morris, D. ‘Architecture Newcastle: preserving its educational history: a history of architectural education at Newcastle’. National Library of Australia. Copies Direct.
“Architectural Monographs No 32 James Stirling + Michael Wilford.” ACADEMY GROUP LTD.
The University of Newcastle. Significant buildings and locations. Callaghan Campus.
The University of Newcastle Special Collections. ‘Australian Environmental History – Don Morris Walk’.
‘Commendation: Public Buildings, Grose Bradley. Newcastle University Studio. 1997’. Architecture, Au
‘NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARDS WINNERS 1981 – 2021. AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS’. ‘Access and Environment Citations The Design Faculty Building, University of Newcastle Stutchbury Pape/EJE Architecture’.
The University of Newcastle. ‘University Galleries’.
The University of Newcastle. ‘UNINEWS, Architecture Reunion 2000. May, 2000’.
The University of Newcastle.’ UNINEWS. June 2001. Sustainable buildings win national award’.
OZ.E.TECTURE, Architecture Foundation Australia.
Video – UoN Special Collections. ‘Campus as Place (2008)’. Architects speaking about University of Newcastle Heritage (short Edition). Dr. Philip Pollard on innovative buildings and landscaping on the University campus, 2012.
Andresen will no longer teach at the University of Newcastle,…’.
The University of Newcastle. ‘Callaghan Campus Master Plan Reframe 2022. The Sustainable Campus’.
Oli Goeldner, Newcastle Weekly. 4.2.2025. ‘Hunter Building still slated for demolition on Uni campus’.
Other UON Timelines
History of the University of Newcastle, Australia – 1849-1965. The University Library Special Collections. https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/89376
UON C50- PART 1 – ASPIRATIONS FOR A UNIVERSITY. 15.6.2025. Special Collections.
UON60: The Prehistory of the University of Newcastle – Newcastle University College (1951-1964) Posted on 24.1. 2025. Special Collections.
I only recently became aware of the gem of a book by Barry Maitland and Stafford called Architecture Newcastle (1997) which is available from the Uni and Public libraries. I found it a trove of local History as well as an education in architecture by the then Professor of Architecture (now crime novel writer).