Basden Theatre

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.

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.