History of Murdoch

History of Murdoch University Collection

The collection captures the past, present and future history of Murdoch University and consists of:

  • Photographs: approximately 170,000 images: negatives, contact sheets, slides and digital captures of Murdoch University staff and events, by various photographers since 1974. 
  • Historical Lectures: lectures from courses (mainly philosophy, history, environmental science and literature) recorded from 1974 to 2004 at Murdoch University.
  • Oral Histories: interviews conducted with former staff and students of Murdoch University.
  • Lady Barbara Murdoch: Lady Murdoch’s invitations and programs from various events, including lectures and graduation ceremonies held by Murdoch University. Also newspapers clippings relating to Sir Walter Murdoch and his family.
  • Professor Geoffrey Bolton: Professor Bolton’s academic regalia and personal memorabilia.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], History of Murdoch University Collection, QB 49, Special Collections, Geoffrey Bolton Library, Murdoch, Western Australia

Bush court black and white photograph

Marion Blackwell Collection

Marion Blackwell AM is an ecologist and landscape architect, and a member of the Murdoch University Planning Board responsible for selecting the campus site. She planned and designed the landscape architecture of the university grounds, choosing Australian plantings to compliment the building architecture designed by RJ (Gus) Ferguson. The collection consists of approximately 90 landscape architecture plans and drawings produced by Blackwell & Cala Architects.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Marion Blackwell Collection, QB 61, Special Collections, Geoffrey Bolton Library, Murdoch, Western Australia.
Image of master plan for Murdoch University

Sir Walter Murdoch Collection

Sir Walter Murdoch (1874-1970) was a prominent Australian academic, anthology editor, biographer, columnist, essayist, literary critic, radio commentator and university chancellor during the early to mid-20th Century. Murdoch University is named in Sir Walter's honour. The collection consists of Sir Walter's personal library, pamphlets, letters, newspaper clippings, memorabilia, autobiographical films and sound recordings. Sir Walter’s personal library and artifacts from the office in his South Perth home can be viewed in the Sir Walter Murdoch Memorial Walk between Link Level 2 and the South Wing of the Geoffrey Bolton Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Sir Walter Murdoch Collection, QB 17, Special Collections, Geoffrey Bolton Library, Murdoch, Western Australia.
Sir Walter Murdoch portrait