About Professor Newton-John
About Professor Brinley Newton-John
Professor Brinley Newton-John was a man of many facets. Upon being commissioned in the Royal Air Force, he was seconded to the infamous top-secret Ultra project at Bletchley Park; the intelligence unit that famously broke the German Enigma codes and provided Allies advance knowledge of enemy plans.
In 1954, he and his young family, including daughter Olivia, emigrated to Australia where he took the role of Master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne.
He joined the University of Newcastle in 1958 as an associate professor in German and head of the department of arts.
In 1968 he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor and frequently stepped in as acting Vice-Chancellor in place of J. J. Auchmuty. This was an important time for our University, achieving independence and rapidly expanding throughout the following decade.
He is remembered by former students not only for the brilliance of his instruction, but also for the sense that he took them seriously and treated them without condescension.
“He had a special interest in student activities and welfare, establishing the first university choir, participating in productions by the Student Players, and encouraging revues.”
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.