
Significant buildings and locations
Explore the key buildings and landmarks that define our campus and how they got their names. From state-of-the-art research facilities to historic sites and student hubs, these spaces support innovation, learning, and community.
Buildings

Named after: Sir Alister McMullin
One of three buildings constructed in time for the University's commencement in 1965, the McMullin Building originally housed Arts, Economics, Commerce, Administration, and the University's fledgling library. It is named after Sir Alister McMullin KCMG, Hon DLitt (1900-1984), the University's first Chancellor, a position to which he was elected in 1966 and from which he retired in 1977. Sir Alister is the longest serving President of the Senate — the upper house of the Australian Parliament — occupying the position from 1953-1971.
Opened in 2002, the Birabahn building is located on the land of the traditional Indigenous owners, the Pambalong clan of the Awabakal nation. The spirit of Birabahn the eaglehawk, which is the primary totem of the Awabakal people, is reflected in the design of the building. An aerial view reveals the roof span as the wings of the eaglehawk outstretched and soaring over its traditional lands. Birabahn was also an Aboriginal scholar in the early nineteenth century. He was widely admired by Europeans for his intellectual ability and fluency in the English language, and was awarded a brass plate by the Governor of the colony for this skill. Accordingly, the name Birabahn reflects the long tradition of Indigenous scholarship.
Named from an Awabakal word meaning "a bright place to live", the building's name demonstrates how Indigenous languages can be incorporated into contemporary settings as a reminder of the traditional Indigenous owners of the land, the Pambalong clan of the Awabakal nation.
Named after: Margaret Bowman
Originally named the Union Building, Shortland was then added to reflect European “discoverer” of Hunter’s River - Lieutenant John Shortland. Margaret Bowman, or Maggie to her friends, is a woman of exceptional will and energy. During the official dedication of the Bowman Building to Margaret Bowman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning), Dr Doug Huxley, described her as a woman who was "always forthright, mostly fearless, sometimes fearsome, but fortunately, mostly friendly". Margaret Bowman served the Hunter Institute of Higher Education as a Member of Council from April 1981 to October 1989. She was President of Council from April 1983 until April 1988 and was a Member of the University of Newcastle Council from June 1982 to February 1988. But Margaret's association with the University goes back further than this. She was a student at Newcastle Teachers College and Newcastle University before either of them were on this campus. The eldest of six children, Margaret was born and bred in Newcastle and as such has a great affinity with the community.
Named after: Dr Edward Richardson
Appointed as the second Principal of the Newcastle College of Advanced Education in 1976 and was responsible for the development of the academic structure based on three schools, namely, The School of Teacher Education, The School of Visual and Performing Arts and the The School of Paramedical and Community Welfare Studies.
Named after: D W George
The Federal Minister for Higher Education and Employment Services, Mr Peter Baldwin, opened the University's Engineering/Science Building on July 5, saying it was appropriate the building was named the D W George Building. Mr Baldwin said Professor Don George, the University's former Vice-Chancellor, had a most distinguished career in the science and engineering fields in both teaching and research. The Minister said the building would provide the opportunity for some 1,000 students to pursue an education in the science and engineering fields and would go a long way in helping to meet the continuing demand for these graduates in the workforce.
Named after: Sir Bede Callaghan
Sir Bede Callaghan, after whom the University's geographical location was renamed in 1992. He was the University's second Chancellor holding the position from 1977 to 1988 after serving as Deputy Chancellor to Sir Alistair McMullin from 1973 to 1977. Born and educated in Newcastle, he was the General Manager of the Commonwealth Development Bank (1959-65) before being appointed Managing Director of the Commonwealth Bank in 1965; a position he held until his retirement in 1976. He was knighted for distinguished services to banking in 1976.
Theatres

Named after: Ralph Basden
Ralph Basden (1894-1976) was one of the founding fathers of the University of Newcastle, supporting the development of the University from the early 1940s. As Principal of the Newcastle Technical College (1940-1959) and Warden of the Newcastle University College (1951-1959) — a college that preceded the autonomous University of Newcastle and operated under the auspices of NSW University of Technology — Basden united the technical and traditional elements of tertiary education in Newcastle under trying circumstances. He was a career science educator and researcher, and held a BSc with first-class honours in Chemistry from the University of London and a Masters of Education from the University of Melbourne.
Named after: Griffith Duncan
Griffith Duncan MA, Dip Ed, MEd, FACE, OBE (1914-1988) was the Principal of the Newcastle Teacher's College, now — after incarnations as the Newcastle College of Advanced Education and the Hunter Institute of Higher Education — amalgamated with the University of Newcastle, from 1949-1975. A Hunter local, Duncan's twenty-six years of guiding teacher education in Newcastle were preceded by experience as a High School teacher in Mathematics, Science and English. He supervised the growth of the Teacher's College from an institution housed in a half-finished High School at Broadmeadow, offering two-year courses in Primary teaching, to one housed at Callaghan, offering courses in Secondary education with a wide range of specialisations.
Accommodation

Named after: George Alfred Edwards
Edwards Hall was the first on-campus student accommodation at the University of Newcastle, and was completed in 1972. George Alfred Edwards, after whom Edwards Hall is named, held degrees from Oxford in Arts and Science, and was the Managing Director of Courtaulds in Australia. He was responsible for the development of their imposing industrial complex at Tomago, just north of Newcastle. He was a prominent member of the interim council responsible for planning the development of the University of Newcastle from 1962. In 1966, he was elected as the autonomous University's first Deputy Chancellor.
Named after: Sir Roden Cutler
Sir Roden Cutler (24 May 1916 - 21 February 2002) was an Australian Diplomat, the longest serving Governor of New South Wales and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth armed forces. Born 24 May 1916, Arthur Roden Cutler grew up in the Sydney Harbour suburb of Manly where he attached the Manly Village Public School.
Named after: Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet
Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet (3 September 1899 - 31 August 1985), was an Australian virologist best known for his contributions to immunology. He won the Nobel Prize for predicting acquired immune tolerance and was best known for developing the theory of clonal selection.
Named after: Hon Elizabeth Andreas Evatt AO
Founded in 1990, Evatt House is named after the Hon Elizabeth Andreas Evatt AO (1933-). Evatt is a pioneering jurist; she was the first Chief Justice of the Australian Family Court, a position she held from 1976-1988 — the first woman to preside in an Australian Federal Court. She was also President of the Australian Law Reform Commission from 1988-1993. Elizabeth Evatt was appointed as the University's third Chancellor in 1988, occupying the role until 1994.
Named after: Dr Alec Forsythe
From the University News March 2-16 1984 "Dr. Alec Forsythe, who has served both the Newcastle community and the University with distinction, is the new Deputy Chancellor of the University. Dr. Forsythe was elected to the position by the Council on February 17. The position became vacant late last year when the Hon. Justice Michael Kirby retired to become Chancellor of Macquarie University. After the Chancellor, Sir Bede Callaghan, Dr. Forsythe is the longest serving member of the Council. He first became associated with the University as a member of the Advisory Committee of the old Newcastle University College. In July 1966, he was elected as a member of the first Council of the University. As foundation member of the University's educational and research company, TUNRA, and Chairman since 1973, he has worked very hard to make the University's research skills available to the Newcastle community.
Outdoor and recreational spaces

Named after: Dr Bernand (Bernie) Curran AM
Bernie was an integral part of our University of Newcastle community for more than 50 years; as a student, rugby player, sports leader, academic, mentor, fundraiser, active alumnus, donor, researcher and, most of all, a compassionate friend to many.
Named after: Don Morris
Don Morris (1930-2010), when Planner at the University of Newcastle (1975-88), was able to preserve the character of the university's bushland campus through careful planning which maximised retention of the existing native vegetation.
Named after: Brigadier J. M. C. Corlette
Largely unused and dormant in its spurting-out-of-water activity, this large water fountain finds its main purpose in letting you know that you're heading for the Engineering Electrical & Computer (EE) building. It was built by the Institution of Engineers, Australia to honour "Brigadier J. M. C. Corlette - a distinguished engineer, soldier and citizen."
Named after: Bob Scobie
This story comes from Bob Scobie himself, via recorded phone message to Gionni Di Gravio 12/8/2022: Bob Scobie organised a spit roast at the site, to farewell Tom Fortmann, a visiting US academic lecturer in Electrical Engineering, on his return back to US. DR T. (Tom) E. FORTMANN invited everyone to the event at the “Scobie Heath”. That’s how the site got its name.
The Forum - what's in a name? (Reprinted from Uninews Issue No.1 March 1998, p.10. With its original Roman purpose as a meeting place, perhaps our own Forum could become a place to bring together the diverse interests represented by the academic and recreational life of the University community and the wider Hunter community, which it is hoped will help sustain the centre financially. Centre manager Stuart Allen, who began his work last October, explains why the name appealed to him. "We needed a name that would find a middle ground between it being the University gymnasium and a purely commercial operation," Stuart said. "While we do want a strong link to the University, I see my role as taking the University to the people and we needed a name that would say 'come and use me' to the community".
Named after: Warren G. Derkenne
On the 14th August 2012 the newly re-designed and refurbished Derkenne Courtyard was re-opened to the University community. The Derkenne Courtyard was originally named in 1990 in honour of Warren Derkenne (1933-1999), the former President of the University Union (1964-1966) and Warden of Convocation.
Named after: Kevin McDonald
Kevin McDonald's contribution over 20 years both to environmental studies and to the creation of our bushland campus, was appropriately recognised by the Board of Environmental Studies with a wood and iron park bench. "We decided to place it beside the path between the Chancellery and the Student Union because it seemed an ideal place for those of us who have enjoyed Kevin's guided walks and talks though the campus bushland," lecturer in environmental science, Phillip Geary said. To be known as the Kevin McDonaldChair pf Environmental Inspiration, it was dedicated to him by the Board in a short ceremony held during Environmental Week.
Meeting rooms and spaces

Named after: Dr Frank Purdue
Dr. Purdue was an alderman of the Newcastle City Council for 30 years and Lord Mayor on 10 occasions between 1951 and 1965. He was Lord Mayor when Newcastle University College was established on December 3, 1951. The Committee for the Establishment of an Autonomous University of Newcastle, which he carried whist he was Lord Mayor, recommended that the University be built on its site at Shortland. The land was previously owned by the B.H.P Co. Ltd. and was exchanged for land in vicinity of Platt's Channel at Mayfield West. As chairman of the Lord Mayor's University Committee he was the main organiser of the appeal for the building funds for the Great Hall; He directed in excess of one million dollars.
Named after: Michael Nelson
On 1 January 1965 Michael Nelson, a well-known student leader and Godfrey Tanner, Classics scholar, lit a bonfi re not far from the site of the present Great Hall to celebrate the beginning of autonomy.
Named after: John Lambert
Director of the University’s computing Centre.
A meeting space available for booking.
Named after: Emeritus Professor Godfrey Tanner
When Godfrey Tanner came to Newcastle, he joined James Auchmuty and Brin Newton-John in the endeavour to create a traditional University here in the Hunter.
He was committed to the sporting life of the University. He founded the University Boat Club at Raymond Terrace largely with a legacy from a deceased great aunt. He was Patron of the Rugby League, Surf riding and Rowing Clubs, Vice-President of the University Rugby Club, a Member of the Venerable Gentlemen Cricket Team, was President of the Sports Union (1970 – 1974) and Vice-President of AUSA. For his service to sport he was awarded Life Membership of the Sports Union. His commitment to student life was equally remarkable. He set up debating and Union Nights and helped organize the 1965 Universities Drama Festival. He was a member of the Union Board of Management (1975- 88), Trustee (1981-89) and Patron 1990 onwards.
Named after: Edward (Ted) Brennan
Edward (Ted) Brennan was born on 30 November 1935, and during his years at the Newcastle University College (precursor to the University of Newcastle) in the early 1950s, was one of its key student leaders and activists. He was a also a core member of the Newcastle University College Students Association (NUCSA).
Named after: David Lyon McLarty
David Lyon McLarty (1889-1962), engineer and dockyard director. He was president (1947-48) of the Newcastle division, Institution of Engineers, Australia, and a member of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland, the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, England (1946-62), and the New South Wales Electricity Commission (1950-57). He was foundation chairman (1962) of the council of Newcastle University College.
Named after: Basil Helmore
Basil Helmore was a prominent lawyer and member of the university movement. As one of the founding fathers of the University of Newcastle he campaigned from as early as the late 1920s to establish University education in Newcastle, and was involved in the Radio Broadcasts of the 1940s that helped popularise the push in the general population. Once the University was established in 1965 he became a member of its Council, founding Warden of Convocation and supporter of the arts through the Basil Helmore prize in French. He died in 1973.
Named after: Helen Parr
Helen began work as a clerk with the Newcastle College of Advanced Education in February 1974 and progressed to become an Administrative Assistant and later an Administrative Officer in the then Staffing Services Office. On amalgamation, she assumed the role of Administrative Officer (Recruitment) in the University's Staff Office. Highly dedicated, competent and meticulous in her job, Helen was held in high esteem, not only by those within the University, but also in the wider community. A highly motivated person, Helen managed to interweave personnel management and university studies into her busy life. Her cheerfulness, fairness and consideration of other people were hallmarks by which she was known by so many.
Named after: Professor Alan Ritchie
Childcare centres

Childcare centre. The name 'Kooinda' means 'a happy place' in the local indigenous Awabakal language.
Childcare centre. Meaning a "place of laughter and games".
Childcare centre. 'Wannai/Wannay' means either 'small child' or 'infant', while 'ba' means 'place', therefore 'place of small children'.
Libraries and creative places

Named after: Professor James Johnston Auchmuty
Professor James Johnston Auchmuty CBE, BA, MA, PhD (Trinity) DLitt (New), DLitt (Syd), (1909-1981) was the foundation Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle. He was instrumental in its development from a University College administered by the NSW University of Technology to an autonomous university in 1965. The library was named in his honour in 1974. Before his retirement in 1974 the Professor could, whenever in Newcastle, be found in the library from 11.30 until lunch, researching, reading The Times, or chatting with staff. He was a bibliophile who advanced the growth of the library at every opportunity in the straitened circumstances following autonomy.
Named after: Dr Douglas Rex Huxley
Dr Douglas Rex Huxley was Principal of the Hunter Institute of Higher Education from 1987-1989. He oversaw the amalgamation of the University of Newcastle and the Institute in 1989, thereafter becoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning) of the University of Newcastle. Dr Huxley had a long association with teacher education in Newcastle, graduating from the then Newcastle Teacher's College in 1952, and obtaining a Masters degree and Doctorate from the University of Newcastle.
Original student gallery was located in Watt St Newcastle.
Named after: Pat & Ted Flowers
Mrs Patricia Flowers was Senior Librarian in charge of the original University College Library. After the University gained autonomy in 1965 Dr Ted Flowers was its first University Librarian.
Named after: Senta Taft Hendry
The Museum was established in 2011 to house the donated collection of Senta Taft Hendry (more than 200 pieces), which is now part of the University’s Art Collection.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.