Shortland Union Building (Bowman Building)

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.