Celebrating 60 years of Community Support
Over 60 years, more than 12,000 people have donated over $200 million to shape a better tomorrow through the University of Newcastle.
 | 1965 The University of Newcastle opens its doors, with the first 138 students graduating in 1966. |
 | 1973 The Great Hall opens following a community “buy-a-brick” campaign started by alumni and former Lord Mayor, Dr Frank Purdue CBE. |
| 1974 Open Foundation is established to provide a free pathway program to gain entry to the University. Today, it’s the oldest and largest program of its kind in Australia. |
| 1978 2NURFM begins broadcasting and is keeping our community connected decades later with the support of donors. |
| 1981 Friends of the University forms and goes on to raise over $1 million for scholarships and university projects to date. |
| 1983 From its beginnings in the 1980’s, the Wollotuka Institute formed to support the academic, health, practical and employment needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. |
| 1990 The first students graduate from the Indigenous Australian Medical Students Program. |
| 1993 Harold Brawn leaves a $5 million bequest to honour his wife, Gladys Brawn, in support of medical research. |
| 1995 The Development Office is established to fundraise across the University and is now known as the Office of Alumni and Philanthropy. |
| 2002 The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education in Singapore is opened. |
| 2010 The University launches its first workplace donation program. Now known as the Staff Donor Collective, members have donated close to $500,000 to support causes through the University. |
| 2011 The First Shaping Futures Scholarship is awarded and has since helped more than 670 students in need of financial support to achieve their dreams through education. |
| 2017 The Ma & Morley Scholarship Program is launched with a US$20 million gift from the Jack Ma Foundation – the largest individual donation in the University’s history. Formed through friendship, the Program aims to empower the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious leaders. |
| 2018 The Paul Ramsay Foundation’s $17.4 million grant for quality teaching rounds is announced, with a further $4.28 million pledged in 2024 – the largest philanthropic partnership supporting research in the University’s history. |
| 2021 The Mark Hughes Foundation establishes a dedicated research team led by the inaugural MHF Chair in Brain Cancer. A further generous donation in 2022 establishes the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University, with over $17.8 million pledged to date. |
| 2022 Gifting Day launches bringing together staff, students, alumni and friends, and has since raised more than $785,000 for programs to benefit our communities. |
| 2025 Alumni Belinda and Adam MacDougall support female entrepreneurs with a gift to the Female Leadership and Innovation Program (FLIP). |
 | The Sir William Tyree Foundation continues its support of scholarships, bringing their total pledge to almost $1 million. |
 | The 200,000th alum graduates. The University celebrates six decades of academic excellence, innovation and community impact. |
View an accessible PDF of the timeline
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
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.