The Great Hall donation

The Great Hall is a symbol of the bond between the University and the community. The stained-glass windows, the tapestry and the Purdue Room all testify to the role of the community in the life the University.

Alderman Frank Purdue led the campaign to raise the $600,000 required to build the hall. The money was raised through a 'buy-a-brick' campaign which gave everyone a chance to buy a stake in the building. Not only did they raise the money, they also built the hall themselves. There are many bricklayers, plasterers, painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople, who have recalled, when attending graduation ceremonies for sons and daughters, the role they played in the construction.

Decorating the Great Hall are other gifts from the community: a hand woven tapestry from the Friends of the University, and stained glass windows from Convocation depicting the crests of the University of Newcastle and Newcastle City Council.

In 2007 the University received a new organ for the Great Hall which was funded primarily through donations from Mr David Pitts, the Friends of the University, Prof Nick Saunders (the Vice-Chancellor), Prof John Marley and Dr Bernie Curran. This continues the great tradition of the community support for the University of Newcastle.

Above: The Great Hall tapestry