The UWA Historical Society plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating UWA’s rich history. Convocation regularly partners with the society and together we ensure that every milestone is remembered—bringing to light significant anniversaries that connect generations of our University community.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Reid Library

The Reid Library had a major impact when it first opened its doors to students in February 1964. The new library, named after Sir Alexander Reid, one of UWA’s longest serving Chancellors, won a bronze medal from the Royal British Institute of Architects for its elegant design. But the reality of a large purpose-built university library, had been a long haul. Read more

Park Avenue Building celebrates 100 years

On 31st October 2025, we mark the 100th anniversary of the official opening of the Park Avenue Building. On that date, the then Premier of WA, Philip Collier officially opened this building to provide teaching and research facilities for those studying the natural sciences of biology and geology. Read more

UWA's Dental School marks an impressive partnership

As it marks a 25-year partnership with the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA), the UWA Dental School continues to demonstrate the impressive practical impact a university can have when education, service, and research come together to align with community need. Read more

Convocation is proud to be supporting several initiatives at UWA. From creating a lasting tribute to a much-admired Vice-Chancellor, to unveiling unique gems hidden in the Reid Library, and providing research travel awards to our postgraduate students, our efforts are making a real difference. We're also stepping up to support students facing the cost-of-living crisis, ensuring no one in our community goes without.

Mid-Winter Food Drive

Your wonderful support of the Guild’s Food Drive was very much appreciated.

As Nikhita Talluri, our Guild President, and her team wrote ‘The Food Drive in collaboration with Convocation Council was a fantastic initiative and we are deeply grateful for it.’

It was followed up by UWA’s Coffee for a Cause on International Coffee Day (1 October) when $2 from each cup of coffee purchased on campus that day went to supporting The Guild’s Food Pantry, helping students across our campuses. If you weren’t on campus then, you can make a direct contribution via our Giving Page.

Work Integrated Learning

UWA’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program opens doors to a remarkable variety of experiences for students. Yash Vasta, currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Information and Logistics, shares how his internship with the Financial Crimes Division of the WA Police Force revealed the real-world impact of technology and teamwork. As well, Yash’s supervisor offers an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to mentor talented individuals through industry partnerships, highlighting the collaboration and innovation that drives the program’s success.

The WIL Program is about to open its next intake round for Summer and Semester 1, 2026. If any alumni are interested in hosting a student for an internship, please contact [email protected]

Read more

Convocation’s Creator-in-Residence fundraising project

A recent refurbishment of the Reid Library  features a new ‘Reading Wall,’ which will exhibit a curated selection of treasures from the Library’s Special Collections.

Convocation invites you to join their collective giving appeal to fund a Creator-in-Residence program, to bring the Reading Wall to life for new audiences by curating dynamic displays inspired by the Library’s Special Collections. 

Donations of $1000 and over will be recognised by displaying the names of donors on shelves of the Convocation Reading Wall in the Reid Library. There are a limited number of shelves (100), so this is a very special opportunity for Convocation members! 

Learn more or donate now

The Blakers Portrait

There are many named lecture theatres at UWA. Most are named after a prominent academic in the discipline where the lecture theatre is housed. Thanks to Senator Emeritus Professor Cheryl Praeger AC, we can learn about Professor Larry Blakers, whose portrait hangs in the Blakers Lecture Room.

Celebrating Alumni Councillors

We are very proud to celebrate the achievements of our Alumni Councillors.

Dr Raj Kurup has just been awarded the 2025 Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year by Engineers Australia. This award is the highest honour for civil engineers in Australia and recognises contributions to leadership, innovation, and service to the profession and the community. Raj was awarded a UWA Chancellor’s Medal in 2024 which recognised his role in assisting UWA by providing internships for our engineering students at his company, Environmental Engineers International — to date 80 students have benefitted.

Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis is a finalist in the 2025 Greek International Women Awards. Her citation reads ‘In the field of ‘Education and Psychology, Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis of Western Australia stands out as a lifelong educator, academic, and advocate for Greek language teaching.’

Professor Emerita Billie Giles-Cooper has recently been appointed Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the Global Observatory of Healthy and Sustainable Cities (GOHSC). The Nobel Sustainability Trust has just honoured the GOHSC by selecting it as the recipient of The Sustainability Award 2025 in the category Outstanding Research and Development for Smart & Sustainable City Solutions.

Now reborn as your Alumni Council, we're unlocking new opportunities for learning and collaboration.

On 26 June 2025, a group of UWA's Alumni Councillors were delighted to attend the annual Graduate Women (WA) Dinner.

UWA Statute Changes

Members of Convocation considered changes to the UWA Statute at its 2024 Spring General Meeting. These changes were informed by Convocation's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 and the Report of the Senate Convocation Review Working Group. The Spring General Meeting's recommendations were approved by Senate on 28 October 2024.

The Amending Statute No 1 of 2024 has now been approved by the Governor and published in a special edition of the Government Gazette on 19 December 2024.

Convocation remains enshrined in the UWA Act as one of the four pillars of the University, together with the Senate, Guild of Undergraduates and Staff. Key changes to the UWA Statute, which came into effect on  1 June 2025, include:

• changing the name of Convocation Council to Alumni Council
• setting the number of Councillors at 14
• encouraging generational diversity on the Alumni Council.

2025 Convocation Elections

The results of the 2025 Convocation Elections were announced at the Autumn General Meeting of Convocation on 20 March 2025.

A new chapter in student living

UWA is expanding its student accommodation with a new major development at the Nedlands site. The 14-storey building will deliver 847 beds across 671 apartments.

Designed to support a vibrant student experience, the residence will include communal study areas, recreational spaces, landscaped outdoor zones, and a ground-floor café. The project reflects UWA’s long-term vision for a connected, inclusive and sustainable campus.

Construction activity began in September 2025, with the first students set to move in by Semester 1, 2028.

Learn more

Proposed Ferry Terminal at Matilda Bay

Development applications for the new ferry terminals have been submitted, and community consultation has recently closed.

This is a controversial issue that has aroused much debate. For a summary of the key issues, read more.

Volunteering at UWA

We have another terrific opportunity with UWA’s Centre for Western Australian history for those interested in history.

Read more

Find recent news from the Federal Minister for Education, an overview of the final report and principles of the expert council on University governance, and the shelf-life of degrees. Read on...