1910
Sir John Winthrop Hackett completes his work as chair of a Royal Commission which recommends that a university be ‘established’ in Western Australia.

1911
The University of Western Australia Act 1911 is passed by the WA State Parliament.

1912
Decision taken to establish UWA as the first “free” university in the British Empire on the casting vote of the Chancellor.

1913
Teaching commences in the Irwin Street buildings with 184 students in three founding faculties – Engineering, Science and Arts.

1914
Edward Sydney Simpson is the first student to graduate with a degree from UWA.

1916
Sir John Winthrop Hackett dies leaving a bequest to the University which eventually provides £425,000 ($35 million today)

1919
A 999-year lease commenced for UWA’s Crawley site.

Edward Sydney Simpson is the first student to earn a Doctorate of Science.