Purdue Room

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.

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.