Murdoch University, Perth

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Murdoch University, Perth

• Universiteit

Murdoch University is one of five universities in Western Australia. The University is named after Sir Walter Murdoch (1874-1970), a prominent Australian academic and essayist, and former Chancellor and Foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia.

Murdoch University was the second university to be established in Western Australia and the seventeenth in Australia. Murdoch University was established by an Act of the Western Australian State Parliament. The Murdoch University Act 1973 (WA) received Royal Assent on 6 June 1973 and came into operation on the date of its proclamation, 29 June 1973. The University was formally constituted on 25 July 1973, the date on which the State Governor appointed the first members of the University Senate under section 12(1)(9) of the Murdoch University Act.

The inauguration ceremony to mark the opening of the University occurred on 17 September 1974, this being the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Murdoch. The ceremony was performed by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr.

Murdoch University has three Australian campuses: its main campus on South Street in the suburb of Murdoch, and regional campuses at Rockingham and Mandurah.

Murdoch University’s first students were 18 postgraduate research students who commenced in February 1974. The first year of undergraduate teaching was 1975 with an enrolment of 714 students. The University now offers more than 80 majors and 200 courses at its Perth campuses, as well as study centres in Singapore and Dubai.

In 2017, Murdoch University had a total enrolment across all campuses of 23,238 students of which approximately 40% were international and transnational students.

In relation to the establishment of the Murdoch University Archives, at its meeting held on 18 February 1992 the Library Board of Western Australia authorised Murdoch University to establish a purpose-built Archives facility under section 26(1) of The Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951-1983 (WA). Under this agreement the University is authorised to manage and retain custody of all the archives of the University.

Murdoch University Act 1973 (WA)

Archives and Archival Records Policy Archives and Archival Records Guideline.

Records associated with the University's development and history.

Direct access to archival holdings by members of the public is not permitted. Access to records is via Records Management and Archives staff only. Standard University Office hours apply.

Limited general reference assistance may be given but it is not possible to carry out extensive research on behalf of researchers.

Revised 19 April 2018

• Education (Thematic area)