Establishment
The Federal Government announces a second university will be established in Western Australia, incorporating the State’s first veterinary school.
Our University is named
Murdoch University officially established under an Act of Parliament.
First Vice Chancellor
Professor Stephen Griew appointed first Vice Chancellor.
Inaugural Chancellor
The Hon John Wickham elected inaugural Chancellor.
Murdoch University Inauguration ceremony
Inauguration ceremony to formally open Murdoch University.
Banksia emblem
A university emblem based on a maroon shield and representation of the banksia grandis is approved by Senate.
First graduates
61 students are awarded degrees at the University’s inaugural graduation ceremony at the Perth Concert Hall.
Veterinary School opens
The Veterinary School is formally opened by the Hon Sir Charles Court, Premier of Western Australia.
First Aboriginal graduate
Murdoch’s first Aboriginal student Isabelle Adams graduates. Later, she is appointed the inaugural Chairperson of the Murdoch University Aboriginal Advisory Council and was instrumental in establishing the Aboriginal Student Support Centre.
Kulbardi opens
Murdoch’s Aboriginal Education Unit – later renamed Kulbardi – opens to improve pathways and participation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Asia Research Centre opens
Murdoch establishes the Asia Research Centre, after securing a $6 million Australian Research Council Grant in 1990.
School of Law established
School of Law established.
SABC established
State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre established.
First female professor
Cora Baldock is appointed the University’s first female Professor.
First overseas graduation
First overseas graduation ceremony, attended by 128 graduands, held at the Regent Hotel, Singapore.
10,000 enrolments
Student enrolments pass 10,000 for the first time.
Rockingham campus opens
WA Governor Major-General Michael Jeffery officially opens Murdoch’s Rockingham Regional Campus.
Geoffrey Bolton elected Chancellor
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bolton elected University Chancellor.
Peel Regional Campus opens
Official launch of the Peel Regional Campus at Mandurah.
Dubai campus opens
International Study Centre opens in Dubai, following the establishment of a Murdoch campus the year before.
Murdoch Business School established
Completion of the new Murdoch Business School and Murdoch Institute of Technology.
School of Energy and Engineering established
Launch of new $7.5 million School of Energy and Engineering.
School of Chiropractic and Sports Science established
The new $4 million School of Chiropractic and Sports Science opens.
40th anniversary
40-year anniversary of the formal inauguration of Murdoch University.
Geoffrey Bolton Library renaming
Official dedication ceremony of the Geoffrey Bolton Library.
Australian National Phenome Centre (ANPC) opens
The Australian National Phenome Centre opens, positioning Western Australia as an international centre in metabolic phenotyping.
Inaugural Pro Vice Chancellors appointed
Murdoch announces the appointment of inaugural Pro Vice Chancellors in First Nations - Chanelle van den Berg; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Dr Rebecca Bennett; and Sustainability – Associate Professor Martin Brueckner.
Ngangk Yira Institute for Change opens
Launch of the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change to drive research supporting healthy Aboriginal families and communities.
Indo-Pacific Research centre (IPRC) opens
Launch of the Indo-Pacific Research Centre to raise awareness of critical issues in the region.
Boola Katitjin opens
The new academic building Boola Katitjin officially opens, and picks up multiple awards including world’s best academic building at the 2023 World Architecture Festival and WA building of the year at the WA Architecture Awards.
Murdoch University celebrates 50th anniversary
Sir Walter Murdoch’s 150th birthday and Murdoch University’s 50th anniversary.